Pyridin-3-yl derivatives

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to pyridin-3-yl derivatives of Formula (I)wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, Ar1, L, m and n are as described in the description, their preparation, to pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and to their use as pharmaceuticals, to pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more compounds of Formula (I), and especially to their use as LPA1 receptor modulators.

The present invention relates to LPA₁ receptor antagonists of Formula (I) and their use as active ingredients in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions. The invention also concerns related aspects including processes for the preparation of the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of the Formula (I), and their use as medicaments inhibiting fibrotic processes or other disorders in which LPA₁ receptors play a role, either alone or in combination with other active compounds or therapies.

Lysophospholipids are membrane-derived bioactive lipid mediators, of which one of the most medically important is lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA is not a single molecular entity but a collection of endogenous structural variants with fatty acids of varied lengths and degrees of saturation (Fujiwara et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2005, 280, 35038-35050). The structural backbone of the LPAs is derived from glycerol-based phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidic acid (PA). The LPAs are bioactive lipids (signaling lipids) that regulate various cellular signaling pathways by binding to the same class of 7-transmembrane domain G protein-coupled (GPCR) receptors (Chun, J., Hla, T., Spiegel, S., Moolenaar, W., Editors, Lysophospholipid Receptors: Signaling and Biochemistry, 2013, Wiley; ISBN: 978-0-470-56905-4; Zhao, Y. et al, Biochim. Biophys. Acta (BBA)-Mol. Cell Biol. Of Lipids, 2013, 1831, 86-92). The currently known LPA receptors are designated as LPA₁, LPA₂, LPA₃, LPA₄, LPA₅ and LPA₆ (Choi, J. W., Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 2010, 50, 157-186). The nucleotide sequence and the amino acid sequence for the human LPA₁ receptor is known in the art and are published (Hecht et al 1996 J. Cell. Biol. 135:1071-83, An et al 1997 Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 231:619-622).

The LPAs have long been known as precursors of phospholipid biosynthesis in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, but the LPAs have emerged only recently as signaling molecules that are rapidly produced and released by activated cells, notably platelets, to influence target cells by acting on specific cell-surface receptors (see, e.g., Moolenaar et al., BioEssays, 2004, 26, 870-881, and van Leewen et al, Biochem. Soc. Trans., 2003, 31, 1209-1212). Besides being synthesized and processed to more complex phospholipids in the endoplasmic reticulum, LPAs can be generated through the hydrolysis of pre-existing phospholipids following cell activation; for example, the sn-2 position is commonly missing a fatty acid residue due to deacylation, leaving only the sn-1 hydroxyl esterified to a fatty acid. Moreover, a key enzyme in the production of LPA, autotaxin (lysoPLD/NPP2), may be the product of an oncogene, as many tumor types up-regulate autotaxin (Brindley, D., J. Cell Biochem. 2004, 92, 900-12). The concentrations of LPAs in human plasma & serum as well as human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) have been reported, including determinations made using sensitive and specific LC/MS & LC/MS/MS procedures (Baker et al., Anal. Biochem. 2001, 292, 287-295; Onorato et al., J. Lipid Res., 2014, 55, 1784-1796).

LPA influences a wide range of biological responses, ranging from induction of cell proliferation, stimulation of cell migration and neurite retraction, gap junction closure, and even slime mold chemotaxis (Goetzl, et al, Scientific World J., 2002, 2, 324-338; Chun, J., Hla, T., Spiegel, S., Moolenaar, W., Editors, Lysophospholipid Receptors: Signaling and Biochemistry, 2013, Wiley; ISBN; 978-0-470-56905-4). The body of knowledge about the biology of LPA continues to grow as more and more cellular systems are tested for LPA responsiveness. For instance, it is now known that, in addition to stimulating cell growth and proliferation, LPAs promote cellular tension and cell-surface fibronectin binding, which are important events in wound repair and regeneration (Moolenaar et al., BioEssays, 2004, 26, 870-881). Recently, anti-apoptotic activity has also been ascribed to LPA, and it has recently been reported that PPARy is a receptor/target for LPA (Simon et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2005, 280, 14656-14662).

Fibrosis is the result of an uncontrolled tissue healing process leading to excessive accumulation and insufficient resorption of extracellular matrix (ECM) which ultimately results in end-organ failure (Rockey et al., New Engl. J. Med., 2015, 372, 1138-1149). Recently it was reported that the LPA₁ receptor was over-expressed in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients. LPA₁ receptor knockout mice were also protected from bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis (Tager et al., Nature Med., 2008, 14, 45-54). Thus, antagonizing the LPA₁ receptor may be useful for the treatment of fibrosis (Stoddard et al., Biomol. Ther., 2015, 23 (1), 1-11; Rancoule et al., Expert. Opin. Inv. Drug 2011, 20 (85), 657-667; Yang et al., IOVS 2009, 50 (3) 1290-1298; Pradère et al., J. Am. Soc. Nephro. 2007, 18, 3110-3118; Abu El-Asrar et al., Acta Ophthalmol. 2012, 90, e84-e89) such as pulmonary fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis, renal fibrosis, arterial fibrosis and systemic sclerosis, and thus the diseases that result from fibrosis (pulmonary fibrosis-Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis [IPF], hepatic fibrosis-Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis [NASH], renal fibrosis-diabetic nephropathy, systemic sclerosis-scleroderma) (Castellino et al., Arthritis Rheum. 2011, 63 (5), 1405-1415).

Corticosteroids in combination with immunosuppressant drugs, cytostatic drugs and antioxidants are used in the treatment of IPF. Corticosteroids may cause side effects when used in long term treatment. Pirfenidone is approved for treatment of IPF but the therapeutic mechanism of action is not known and also, side effects are associated with the use of pirfenidone. Therefore, orally active compounds which specifically target the fibrotic processes with reduced side effects would significantly improve current treatments of uncontrolled fibrotic diseases.

The use of LPA₁ receptor antagonists is not limited to fibrosis, and can apply to other disorders where LPA/LPA₁ receptor axis plays a role in the pathology; such as pain including acute pain, chronic pain, and neuropathic pain (Inoue et al, Nat. Med. 2004, 10 (7) 712-718; Kuner, Nat. Med. 2010, 16 (11), 1258-1266) including fibromyalgia stemming from the formation of fibrous scar tissue in contractile (voluntary) muscles, wherein fibrosis binds the tissue and inhibits blood flow, resulting in pain, and cancer pain; malignant and benign proliferative diseases including cancer (Stoddard et al., Biomol. Ther., 2015, 23 (1), 1-11; Komachi et al., Cancer Sci. 2012, 103 (6), 1099-1104; Zeng et al., The Prostate 2009, 69, 283-292), and the control of proliferation of tumor cells, invasion and metastasis of carcinomas, pleural mesothelioma (Yamada, Cancer Sci., 2008, 99 (8), 1603-1610), peritoneal mesothelioma, or bone metastases (Boucharaba et al, J. Clin. Invest., 2004, 1 14(12), 1714-1725; Boucharaba et al, Proc. Natl. acad. Sci., 2006, 103(25) 9643-9648); inflammation (Li et al., Kidney International 2017, 91(6), 1362-1373; Lin et al., Am. J. Pathol. 2018, 188 (2), 353-366; Watanabe et al., J. Clin. Gastroenterol. 2007, 41 (6), 616-623; Watanabe et al., Life Sciences 2007, 81, 1009-1015); nervous system disorders (Stoddard et al., Biomol. Ther., 2015, 23 (1), 1-11; Choi et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 2013, 1831, 20-32; Nagai et al., Molecular Pain 2010, 6, 78); and respiratory diseases including allergic respiratory diseases, and hypoxia (Georas et al., Clin. Exp. Allergy 2007, 37 (3), 311-322). LPA has been shown to have contracting action on bladder smooth muscle cell isolated from bladder, and promotes growth of prostate-derived epithelial cell (B. P. Kropp et al., J. Urology, 1999, 162, 1779-1784; C. Guo et al., J. Urology, 2000, 163, 1027-1032) and stromal cells (Sakamoto et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 2018, 366, 390-396). LPA further has been shown to contract the urinary tract and prostate in vitro and increases intraurethral pressure in vivo (WO 02/062389). LPA has further been linked to obesity and insulin resistance (K. D'Souza et al., Nutrients 2018, 10, 399).

WO2013/096771 discloses a broad generic scope of TGR5 agonists, claimed to be active in the treatment of diabetes. US2007/0078120 (WO2005/037269) discloses a broad generic scope of piperidine derivatives claimed to be useful to lower the blood concentration of LDL cholesterol. WO2003/088908 discloses a broad generic scope of potassium channel inhibitors exemplifying some piperidine derivatives which, however, are different from the present compounds by at least the absence of present mandatory substituent R³. WO2012/078805, and WO2009/135590 disclose structurally remote compounds that act as antagonists of the LPA₁ receptor and are claimed to show certain anti-fibrotic effects.

The present invention provides novel compounds of Formula (I) that are antagonists for the G protein-coupled receptor LPA₁ and may have a potent and long-lasting anti-fibrotic effect which may be mediated by inhibiting vascular leakage, inhibiting the conversion of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, and/or inhibiting the subsequent release of pro-fibrotic cytokines by myofibroblasts. The present compounds may thus be useful to treat e.g. uncontrolled fibrotic diseases and other disease and disorders related to LPA₁ signalling.

1) A first aspect of the invention relates to compounds of the Formula (I),

wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halogen (especially chloro), methyl, or trifluoromethyl; R² is C₁₋₃-alkoxy (especially methoxy), cyclopropyloxy or methoxy-C₂₋₃-alkoxy; or Ar¹ represents phenyl, or 6-membered heteroaryl containing one or two nitrogen atoms (especially pyridinyl); (notably, Ar¹ represents phenyl), wherein said group Ar¹ is substituted with R³ and R⁴, wherein

-   -   R³ is n-propyl, isopropyl, or C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; [wherein it is         understood that said substituent R³ is attached in         ortho-position with regard to the point of the attachment of the         rest of the molecule] and     -   R⁴ represents one substituent independently selected from         hydrogen, fluoro, methyl and methoxy [in particular, R⁴         represents hydrogen or fluoro; especially hydrogen];         m and n independently represent the integer 1 or 2 (especially         both m and n represent the integer 1); and the group -L-R⁵         represents     -   hydrogen;     -   —C₁₋₄-alkyl;     -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; wherein the C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl         independently is unsubstituted or mono-substituted with halogen         (especially fluoro);     -   —CO—H;     -   -L¹-CO—R^(C11) wherein R^(C11) independently represents hydroxy;         —O-benzyl; —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl; C₁-fluoroalkyl; or —NR^(N11)R^(N12);         wherein independently R^(N11) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and         R^(N12) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl, or —O—R^(O11),         wherein R^(O11) independently represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl,         or benzyl; and -L¹- independently represents         -   —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;         -   —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;             wherein in the above groups said C₁₋₆-alkylene independently             is mono-substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₃-alkoxy,             —O—CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, or —NR^(N13)R^(N14); wherein independently             R^(N13) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N14) is hydrogen,             C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;             wherein in the above groups said C₂₋₆-alkylene independently             is di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently             selected from hydroxy and —NR^(N15)R^(N16); wherein             independently R^(N15) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N16)             is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—NH—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or             —CO—O—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-;         -   —C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—NH—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; wherein Cy¹             independently represents a C₃₋₆-heterocycloalkylene             containing one ring oxygen atom, or one ring nitrogen atom,             wherein said ring nitrogen, in case it has a free valency,             independently is unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with             C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₂₋₄-alkylene-O—C₂₋₄-alkylene-O—C₁₋₄-alkylene-, or             —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-O—C₂₋₄-alkylene-O—C₁₋₄-alkylene-;         -   —C₂₋₄-alkylene-X¹¹-C₁₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₄-alkylene-X¹¹—C₁₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—NH—C₂₋₄-alkylene-X¹¹—C₁₋₄-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₄-alkylene-X¹¹—C₁₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X¹¹             independently represents oxygen, or a nitrogen atom which is             independently unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with             C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X¹²—C₁₋₄-alkylene-,             —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X¹²—C₁₋₄-alkylene-, or             —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X¹²—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-;             wherein X¹² independently represents oxygen, or a nitrogen             atom which is independently unsubstituted, or             mono-substituted with C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl,             —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl, or C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₂₋₄-alkylene-X¹³—C₁₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X¹³ represents             —NH—CO—, and wherein said C₂₋₄-alkylene independently is             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy;         -   —C₁₋₄-alkylene-X¹⁴—C₁₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X¹⁴ represents             —CO—NH—;         -   —CO—C₂₋₆-alkenylene- or —SO₂—C₂₋₆-alkenylene-; or         -   —CO—C₂₋₆-fluoroalkylene-;     -   -L²-hydroxy; wherein -L²- represents         -   —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; wherein in the             above groups said C₁₋₆-alkylene independently is             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy,             C₁-fluoroalkyl, or —NR^(N21)R^(N22) wherein independently             R^(N21) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N22) is hydrogen,             C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, wherein in             the above groups said C₂₋₆-alkylene independently is             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy,             C₁-fluoroalkyl, or —NR^(N23)R^(N24) wherein independently             R^(N23) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N24) is hydrogen,             C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-;         -   —C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy²-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy²-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy²-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; wherein Cy²             independently represents a C₃₋₆-heterocycloalkylene group             containing one ring oxygen atom, or one ring nitrogen atom;             wherein said ring nitrogen, in case it has a free valency,             is independently unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with             C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₂₋₄-alkylene-(O—C₂₋₄-alkylene)_(p)- or             —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-(O—C₂₋₄-alkylene)_(p)-; wherein p             independently represents the integer 1 or 2;         -   —C₂₋₄-alkylene-X²¹—C₂₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X²¹ represents a             nitrogen atom which is unsubstituted, or mono-substituted             with C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²²—C₂₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²²—C₁₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-, or             —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²²—C₂₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X²²             represents a nitrogen atom which is independently             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with C₁₋₄-alkyl,             C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₂₋₄-alkylene-X²³—C₁₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X²³ represents             —NH—CO—, and wherein said C₂₋₄-alkylene independently is             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy;         -   —C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²⁴—C₂₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X²⁴ represents             —CO—NH—, and wherein said C₂₋₄-alkylene independently is             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy; or         -   3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-ene-1,2-diyl;     -   -L³-O—R^(O31) wherein R^(O31) is —C₁₋₄-alkyl, —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl or         —CO—C₂₋₄-alkenyl; and -L³- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁴-NR^(N1)R^(N2) wherein independently R^(N1) is hydrogen or         C₁₋₄-alkyl; and R^(N2) is hydrogen; C₁₋₄-alkyl;         C₁₋₃-fluoroalkyl; C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkylene;         —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkyl; or —SO₂—C₁-fluoroalkyl; and     -   L⁴- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-; or         -   —C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy⁴-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy⁴-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy⁴-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; wherein Cy⁴             independently represents a C₃₋₆-heterocycloalkylene group             containing one ring oxygen atom;     -   -L⁵-NR^(N3)R^(N4) wherein R^(N3) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, or         C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkylene; and R^(N4) is —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         —CO—NR^(N51)R^(N52) wherein R^(N5)1 and R^(N52) are         independently selected from hydrogen and C₁₋₄-alkyl; or         —SO₂—NR^(N53)R^(N54) wherein independently R^(N53) is hydrogen         or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N54) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, or         —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl;     -   and -L⁵- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁶-N(R^(N61))—O—R^(O61) wherein R^(N61) is hydrogen,         —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; and R^(O61) independently         represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl, or benzyl;     -   and -L⁶- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁷-NR^(N5)R^(N6) wherein R^(N5) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl         (especially hydrogen); R^(N6) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl,         —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₃-fluoroalkyl, or C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl (especially         hydrogen); and     -   L⁷- independently represents         -   —CO—, or —SO₂—;     -   -L⁸-SO₂—R^(S81) wherein R^(S81) independently represents         —C₁₋₆-alkyl; C₁-fluoroalkyl; hydroxy; —NR^(N81)R^(N82) wherein         independently R^(N81) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N82) is         hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkyl; and -L⁸- independently         represents         -   —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁹-HET¹, wherein HET¹ represents 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl         (especially pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl,         tetrazolyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl; thiazolyl,         isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl,         pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl),     -   wherein said HET¹ independently is unsubstituted or mono-, or         di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently         selected from C₁₋₄-alkyl (especially methyl); halogen; cyano;         hydroxy; hydroxymethyl; —C₀₋₂-alkylene-Cy⁹¹-COOR^(O91) wherein         R^(O91) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and wherein Cy⁹¹ represents a         C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene group; or —C₀₋₂-alkylene-COOR^(O92) wherein         R^(O92) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl; and -L⁹- independently         represents         -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl, wherein the C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl         independently contains one or two ring heteroatoms independently         selected from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen; wherein in the above         groups said C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl independently is unsubstituted, or         mono-, di-, or tri-substituted wherein the substituents are         independently selected from:         -   one or two oxo substituents each attached to a ring carbon             atom in alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom (thus forming             together with the nitrogen an amide group, or, in case a             ring oxygen is additionally adjacent, a carbamate group, or,             in case second ring nitrogen is additionally adjacent, a             urea group); and/or         -   two methyl substituents attached to a ring carbon atom in             alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom or a ring oxygen atom             (thus forming together with the nitrogen a —C(CH₃)₂—N— or             with the oxygen a —C(CH₃)₂—O-group); and/or         -   two oxo substituents at a ring sulfur ring atom (thus             forming a —SO₂— group); and/or         -   C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkyl, C₂₋₃-fluoroalkyl, or             —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl attached to a ring nitrogen atom having a             free valency; and     -   L¹⁰- independently represents         -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L¹¹-cyano; wherein -L¹¹- represents —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,         —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene, or —C₀₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L¹²-NO₂; wherein -L¹²- represents —C₂₋₆-alkylene-; or     -   -L¹³-C₁₋₄-alkyl; wherein -L¹³- represents —CO—, —CO—O—, or         —SO₂—.

In a sub-embodiment, the present invention especially relates to compounds of Formula (I) as defined in embodiment 1), wherein the linker L in the group -L-R⁵ is as defined hereinbefore (or, mutatis mutandis, in any one of embodiments below) wherein the length of such linker L (i.e. each of the particular linker groups -L¹-, -L²-, -L³-, -L⁴-, -L⁵-, -L⁶-, -L⁷-, -L⁸-, -L⁹-, -L¹⁰-, -L¹¹-, -L¹²-, and -L¹³-) is such that the group R⁵ is distanced from the nitrogen atom to which L is attached by at maximum 9 atoms (preferably it is distanced by at maximum 5 atoms).

It is understood that the linker groups in group -L-R⁵ (such as -L¹-, -L²-, -L³-, -L⁴-, -L⁵-, -L⁶-, -L⁷-, -L⁸-, -L⁹-, -L¹⁰-, -L¹¹-, -L¹²-, and -L¹³-) are to be read from left to right: for example a linker group —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene- is attached to the rest of the molecule on the —CO— group part of said linker.

The compounds of Formula (I) may contain one or more stereogenic or asymmetric centers, such as one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, which are allowed to be present in (R)- as well as (S)-configuration. The compounds of Formula (I) may further encompass compounds with one or more double bonds which are allowed to be present in Z- as well as E-configuration and/or compounds with substituents at a ring system which are allowed to be present, relative to each other, in cis- as well as trans-configuration. The compounds of of Formula (I) may thus be present as mixtures of stereoisomers or preferably as pure stereoisomers. Mixtures of stereoisomers may be separated in a manner known to a person skilled in the art.

In case a particular compound (or generic structure) is designated as (R)- or (S)-enantiomer, such designation is to be understood as referring to the respective compound (or generic structure) in enriched, especially essentially pure, enantiomeric form. Likewise, in case a specific asymmetric center in a compound is designated as being in (R)- or (S)-configuration or as being in a certain relative configuration, such designation is to be understood as referring to the compound that is in enriched, especially essentially pure, form with regard to the respective configuration of said asymmetric center. In analogy, cis- or trans-designations are to be understood as referring to the respective stereoisomer of the respective relative configuration in enriched, especially essentially pure, form. Likewise, in case a particular compound (or generic structure) is designated as Z- or E-stereoisomer (or in case a specific double bond in a compound is designated as being in Z- or E-configuration), such designation is to be understood as referring to the respective compound (or generic structure) in enriched, especially essentially pure, stereoisomeric form (or to the compound that is in enriched, especially essentially pure, form with regard to the respective configuration of the double bond).

The term “enriched”, when used in the context of stereoisomers, is to be understood in the context of the present invention to mean that the respective stereoisomer is present in a ratio of at least 70:30, especially of at least 90:10 (i.e., in a purity of at least 70% by weight, especially of at least 90% by weight), with regard to the respective other stereoisomer/the entirety of the respective other stereoisomers.

The term “essentially pure”, when used in the context of stereoisomers, is to be understood in the context of the present invention to mean that the respective stereoisomer is present in a purity of at least 95% by weight, especially of at least 99% by weight, with regard to the respective other stereoisomer/the entirety of the respective other stereoisomers.

The present invention also includes isotopically labelled, especially ²H (deuterium) labelled compounds of Formula (I) according to embodiments 1) to 19), which compounds are identical to the compounds of Formula (I) except that one or more atoms have each been replaced by an atom having the same atomic number but an atomic mass different from the atomic mass usually found in nature. Isotopically labelled, especially ²H (deuterium) labelled compounds of Formula (I) and salts thereof are within the scope of the present invention. Substitution of hydrogen with the heavier isotope ²H (deuterium) may lead to greater metabolic stability, resulting e.g. in increased in-vivo half-life or reduced dosage requirements, or may lead to reduced inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes, resulting e.g. in an improved safety profile. In one embodiment of the invention, the compounds of Formula (I) are not isotopically labelled, or they are labelled only with one or more deuterium atoms. In a sub-embodiment, the compounds of Formula (I) are not isotopically labelled at all. Isotopically labelled compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared in analogy to the methods described hereinafter, but using the appropriate isotopic variation of suitable reagents or starting materials.

In this patent application, a bond drawn with a wavy line or with a dotted line shows the point of attachment of the radical drawn. For example, the radical

is a 1H-pyrrol-1-yl group.

Whenever a substituent R⁴ is designated to be in a specific position of the phenyl moiety to which it is attached, it is understood that the point of attachment of the substituent R³ is considered position 2 of said phenyl moiety.

In some instances, the compounds of Formula (I) may contain tautomeric forms. Such tautomeric forms are encompassed in the scope of the present invention. In case tautomeric forms exist of a certain residue, and only one form of such residue is disclosed or defined, the other tautomeric form(s) are understood to be encompassed in such disclosed residue. For example, the group 3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl is to be understood as also encompassing its tautomeric form 3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl. Likewise, the group 3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-5-yl is to be understood as also encompassing its tautomeric form 3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-yl; the group 3-hydroxy-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-yl is to be understood as also encompassing its tautomeric forms 3-hydroxy-4H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl, 3-hydroxy-3H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl, as well as 3-oxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl and 3-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl; the group 3-hydroxyisoxazole-5-yl is to be understood as also encompassing its tautomeric form 3-oxo-2,3-dihydroisoxazole-5-yl; the group 5-hydroxy-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl is to be understood as also encompassing its tautomeric form 5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl and the group 5-hydroxy-[1,3,4]oxadiazol-2-yl is to be understood as also encompassing its tautomeric form 5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl; the group 4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-oxazole-2-yl is to be understood as also encompassing its tautomeric form 4-hydroxy-oxazole-2-yl; the group 2,4-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl is to be understood as also encompassing its tautomeric form 2,4-dihydroxy-imidazol-1-yl; and the group 2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl is to be understood as also encompassing its tautomeric form 2,5-dihydroxy-imidazol-1-yl.

Where the plural form is used for compounds, salts, pharmaceutical compositions, diseases and the like, this is intended to mean also a single compound, salt, or the like.

Any reference to compounds of Formula (I) according to embodiments 1) to 19) is to be understood as referring also to the salts (and especially the pharmaceutically acceptable salts) of such compounds, as appropriate and expedient.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to salts that retain the desired biological activity of the subject compound and exhibit minimal undesired toxicological effects. Such salts include inorganic or organic acid and/or base addition salts depending on the presence of basic and/or acidic groups in the subject compound. For reference see for example “Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts. Properties, Selection and Use.”, P. Heinrich Stahl, Camille G. Wermuth (Eds.), Wiley-VCH, 2008; and “Pharmaceutical Salts and Co-crystals”, Johan Wouters and Luc Quèrè (Eds.), RSC Publishing, 2012.

Definitions provided herein are intended to apply uniformly to the compounds of Formula (I), as defined in any one of embodiments 1) to 18), and, mutatis mutandis, throughout the description and the claims unless an otherwise expressly set out definition provides a broader or narrower definition. It is well understood that a definition or preferred definition of a term defines and may replace the respective term independently of (and in combination with) any definition or preferred definition of any or all other terms as defined herein.

Whenever a substituent is denoted as optional, it is understood that such substituent may be absent (i.e. the respective residue is unsubstituted with regard to such optional substituent), in which case all positions having a free valency (to which such optional substituent could have been attached to; such as for example in an aromatic ring the ring carbon atoms and/or the ring nitrogen atoms having a free valency) are substituted with hydrogen where appropriate. Likewise, in case the term “optionally” is used in the context of (ring) heteroatom(s), the term means that either the respective optional heteroatom(s), or the like, are absent (i.e. a certain moiety does not contain heteroatom(s)/is a carbocycle/or the like), or the respective optional heteroatom(s), or the like, are present as explicitly defined.

The term “halogen” means fluorine, chlorine, or bromine, preferably fluorine or chlorine.

The term “alkyl”, used alone or in combination, refers to a saturated straight or branched chain hydrocarbon group containing one to six carbon atoms. The term “C_(x-y)-alkyl” (x and y each being an integer), refers to an alkyl group as defined before, containing x to y carbon atoms. For example a C₁₋₆-alkyl group contains from one to six carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, 3-methyl-butyl, 2,2-dimethyl-propyl and 3,3-dimethyl-butyl. For avoidance of any doubt, in case a group is referred to as e.g. propyl or butyl, it is meant to be n-propyl, respectively n-butyl. Preferred are methyl and ethyl. Most preferred is methyl. For the group L-R⁵ representing —C₁₋₄-alkyl preferred are isopropyl and isobutyl.

The term “—C_(x-y)-alkylene-”, used alone or in combination, refers to bivalently bound alkyl group as defined before containing x to y carbon atoms. The term “—C_(0-y)-alkylene-” refers to a direct bond, or to a —(C_(1-y))alkylene- as defined before. Preferably, the points of attachment of a —C_(1-y)-alkylene group are in 1,1-diyl, in 1,2-diyl, or in 1,3-diyl arrangement. Preferably, the points of attachment of a —C_(2-y)-alkylene group are in 1,2-diyl or in 1,3-diyl arrangement. In case a C_(0 y)-alkylene group is used in combination with another substituent, the term means that either said substituent is linked through a C_(1 y)-alkylene group to the rest of the molecule, or it is directly attached to the rest of the molecule (i.e. a C₀-alkylene group represents a direct bond linking said substituent to the rest of the molecule). The alkylene group —C₂H₄— refers to —CH₂—CH₂— if not explicitly indicated otherwise. Examples of —C₀₋₄-alkylene- groups are notably methylene, ethylene, and propane-1,3-diyl. Examples of —C₀₋₆-alkylene- groups are notably methylene, ethylene, propane-1,3-diyl, and 3-methylbutane-1,3-diyl (especially methylene, ethylene, and propane-1,3-diyl). Examples of —C₁₋₆-alkylene- groups are notably methylene, ethylene, ethane-1,1-diyl, propane-1,3-diyl, propane-1,2-diyl, propane-2,2-diyl, 2-methylpropane-1,2-diyl, 2-methylpropane-1,1-diyl, 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl, butane-1,4-diyl, 3-methylbutane-1,3-diyl, and 4-methylpentane-1,4-diyl. Examples of —C₁₋₄-alkylene- groups are notably methylene, ethylene, propane-2,2-diyl, and 2-methylpropane-1,2-diyl (especially methylene). Examples of —C₂₋₆-alkylene- groups are notably ethylene, propane-1,3-diyl, propane-1,2-diyl, 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl, 2-methylpropane-1,2-diyl, 3-methylbutane-1,3-diyl, and 4-methylpentane-1,4-diyl (most preferably ethylene, propane-1,3-diyl, propane-1,2-diyl, 2-methylpropane-1,2-diyl, 3-methylbutane-1,3-diyl, and 4-methylpentane-1,4-diyl). Examples of —C₂₋₄-alkylene-groups are notably ethylene, propane-1,2-diyl and propane-1,3-diyl.

An example of a group -L²-hydroxy wherein -L²- represents C₂₋₆-alkylene which is mono-substituted with hydroxy is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl.

The term “alkenyl”, used alone or in combination, refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain containing two to five carbon atoms and one carbon-carbon double bond. The term “C_(x-y)-alkenyl” (x and y each being an integer), refers to an alkenyl group as defined before containing x to y carbon atoms. For example a C₂₋₅-alkenyl group contains from two to five carbon atoms. An example of alkenyl group is notably prop-1-en-2-yl.

The term “—C_(x-y)-alkenylene-”, used alone or in combination, refers to bivalently bound alkenyl group as defined before containing x to y carbon atoms. Examples of —C₂₋₆-alkenylene- groups are notably ethen-1,2-diyl, prop-1-en-2,3-diyl, and prop-1-en-1,3-diyl.

The term “fluoroalkyl”, used alone or in combination, refers to an alkyl group as defined before containing one to three carbon atoms in which one or more (and possibly all) hydrogen atoms have been replaced with fluorine. The term “C_(x-y)-fluoroalkyl” (x and y each being an integer) refers to a fluoroalkyl group as defined before containing x to y carbon atoms. For example a C₁₋₃-fluoroalkyl group contains from one to three carbon atoms in which one to seven hydrogen atoms have been replaced with fluorine. Representative examples of fluoroalkyl groups include trifluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl. Preferred are C₁-fluoroalkyl groups such as trifluoromethyl.

The term “fluoroalkoxy”, used alone or in combination, refers to an alkoxy group as defined before containing one to three carbon atoms in which one or more (and possibly all) hydrogen atoms have been replaced with fluorine. The term “C_(x-y)-fluoroalkoxy” (x and y each being an integer) refers to a fluoroalkoxy group as defined before containing x to y carbon atoms. For example a C₁₋₃-fluoroalkoxy group contains from one to three carbon atoms in which one to seven hydrogen atoms have been replaced with fluorine. Representative examples of fluoroalkoxy groups include trifluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, 2-fluoroethoxy, 2,2-difluoroethoxy and 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy. Preferred are C₁-fluoroalkoxy groups such as trifluoromethoxy and difluoromethoxy, as well as 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy.

The term “cycloalkyl”, used alone or in combination, refers especially to a saturated monocyclic, or to a fused-, bridged-, or spiro-bicyclic hydrocarbon ring containing three to eight carbon atoms. The term “C_(x-y)-cycloalkyl” (x and y each being an integer), refers to a cycloalkyl group as defined before containing x to y carbon atoms. For example a C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl group contains from three to six carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groups are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cycloheptyl, as well as the bicyclic group bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane. Preferred are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, and cyclopentyl; especially cyclopropyl.

The term “C_(x-y)-cycloalkyl optionally containing a ring oxygen atom” refers to a cycloalkyl group as defined before containing x to y carbon atoms, wherein one ring carbon atom of said C_(x-y)-cycloalkyl may be replaced by an oxygen atom. Such groups are unsubstituted or substituted as explicitly defined. Examples are especially the C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl groups cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl; as well as oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, and tetrahydropyranyl. A particular “C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, wherein said C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl contains one ring oxygen atom” is tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl.

The term “—C_(x-y)-cycloalkylene-”, used alone or in combination, refers to bivalently bound cycloalkyl group as defined before containing x to y carbon atoms. Preferably, the points of attachment of any bivalently bound cycloalkyl group are in 1,1-diyl, or in 1,2-diyl arrangement. An example of a —C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene- group is notably cyclopropane-1,1-diyl. Examples of —C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene- groups are notably cyclopropane-1,1-diyl, cyclopropane-1,2-diyl, cyclobutane-1,1-diyl, bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-diyl, cyclohexane-1,3-diyl, and cyclohexane-1,4-diyl (especially cyclopropane-1,1-diyl, cyclopropane-1,2-diyl, and cyclobutane-1,1-diyl).

The term “alkoxy”, used alone or in combination, refers to an alkyl-O— group wherein the alkyl group is as defined before. The term “C_(x-y)-alkoxy” (x and y each being an integer) refers to an alkoxy group as defined before containing x to y carbon atoms. For example a C₁₋₄-alkoxy group means a group of the formula C₁₋₄-alkyl-O— in which the term “C₁₋₄-alkyl” has the previously given significance. Examples of alkoxy groups are methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec.-butoxy and tert.-butoxy. Preferred are ethoxy and especially methoxy.

Examples of methoxy-C₂₋₃-alkoxy groups as used for the substituent R² are 2-methoxy-ethoxy and 2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethoxy.

The term “heterocyclyl”, used alone or in combination, and if not explicitly defined in a broader or more narrow way, refers to a saturated or unsaturated non-aromatic monocyclic hydrocarbon ring containing one or two ring heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen (especially one oxygen atom, one sulfur atom, one nitrogen atom, two nitrogen atoms, two oxygen atoms, one nitrogen atom and one oxygen atom). The term “C_(x-y)-heterocyclyl” refers to such a heterocycle containing x to y ring atoms. Examples of heterocyclyl groups as used in the group -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl are notably oxetan-3-yl, thietane-3-yl, imidazolidin-1-yl, 4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 1,3-dioxolan-4-yl, piperidin-4-yl, piperazin-1-yl, piperazin-2-yl, morpholin-3-yl, morpholin-4-yl and morpholin-2-yl (especially oxetan-3-yl, 4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 1,3-dioxolan-4-yl, and morpholin-4-yl). Heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted as explicitly defined.

The term “—C_(x-y)-heterocycloalkylene-”, used alone or in combination, refers to bivalently bound heterocyclyl group as defined before containing x to y ring atoms. Examples of C₃₋₆-heterocycloalkylene containing one ring oxygen atom, or containing one ring nitrogen atom as used in the groups Cy¹, Cy², and, mutatis mutandis, Cy⁴ are notably the nitrogen containing groups azetidin-1,3-diyl, azetidin-3,3-diyl, pyrrolidine-2,4-diyl, piperidin-1,4-diyl and piperidin-4,4-diyl; and the oxygen containing groups oxetan-3,3-diyl, tetrahydrofuran-3,3-diyl, and tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4,4-diyl.

The term “aryl”, used alone or in combination, means a naphthyl or a phenyl group, especially phenyl.

The term “heteroaryl”, used alone or in combination, means a 5- to 10-membered monocyclic or bicyclic aromatic ring containing one to a maximum of four heteroatoms, each independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur. Examples of such heteroaryl groups are furanyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiophenyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, indazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoisothiazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, naphthyridinyl, cinnolinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, phthalazinyl, pyrrolopyridinyl, pyrazolopyridinyl, pyrazolopyrimidinyl, pyrrolopyrazinyl, imidazopyridinyl, imidazopyridazinyl, and imidazothiazolyl. The above-mentioned heteroaryl groups are unsubstituted or substituted as explicitly defined. For the substituent Ar¹ representing “6-membered heteroaryl containing one or two nitrogen atoms”, the term means the respective above-mentioned 6-membered groups; especially pyridinyl; in particular pyridin-2-yl. For the substituent HET¹ representing “5- or 6-membered heteroaryl”, the term means the above-mentioned 5- or 6-membered groups. Notably, the term refers to 5-membered heteroaryl containing one to four heteroatoms, such as furanyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, or tetrazolyl (especially pyrazolyl, triazolyl, or tetrazolyl); or to 6-membered heteroaryl containing one or two nitrogen atoms; such as especially pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, or pyridinyl. Particular examples of 5-membered heteroaryl as used for HET¹ are furan-2-yl, 1H-imidazol-2-yl, 1H-imidazol-4-yl, 1H-pyrrol-2-yl, 1H-pyrazol-3-yl, 1H-pyrazol-4-yl, 1H-pyrazol-5-yl, oxazol-2-yl, oxazol-4-yl, isoxazol-5-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, 2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl, 1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl, 1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl, 4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl, 1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl, 1H-tetrazol-1-yl, 2H-tetrazol-2-yl, and 1H-tetrazol-5-yl. Particular examples of 6-membered heteroaryl as used for HET¹ are pyrimidin-2-yl, pyrimidin-4-yl, pyrimidin-5-yl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridazin-3-yl, and pyrazin-2-yl.

For avoidance of doubt, certain groups having tautomeric forms which may be considered predominantly aromatic (such as for example 3-hydroxy-isoxazolyl, 5-hydroxy-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl, 3-hydroxy-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl, 3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl, or 2-hydroxy-[1,3,4]oxadiazolyl groups) are defined herein as heteroaryl groups HET¹, even though their corresponding tautomeric forms (3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-2H-isoxazolyl, respectively, 5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl, 3-oxo-4,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl, 3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl, 2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-3H-[1,3,4]oxadiazolyl) could also be considered as a non-aromatic heterocyclyl group. Likewise, certain groups having tautomeric forms which may be considered predominantly non-aromatic (such as 2,4-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl, 4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-oxazole-2-yl) as defined for the substituent -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl, are defined herein as not being part of substituted heteroaryl groups as defined for HET¹, even though their corresponding tautomeric form (4-hydroxy-oxazole-2-yl, respectively, 2,4-dihydroxy-imidazol-1-yl), could also be considered as an heteroaryl group HET¹. It is understood that the corresponding tautomers are encompassed in the respective scope -L⁹-HET¹, respectively, -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl as defined.

The term “cyano” refers to a group —CN.

The term “oxo” refers to a group ═O which is preferably attached to a chain or ring carbon or sulfur atom as for example in a carbonyl group —(CO)—, or a sulfonyl group —(SO₂)—.

Whenever the word “between” is used to describe a numerical range, it is to be understood that the end points of the indicated range are explicitly included in the range. For example: if a temperature range is described to be between 40° C. and 80° C., this means that the end points 40° C. and 80° C. are included in the range; or if a variable is defined as being an integer between 1 and 4, this means that the variable is the integer 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Unless used regarding temperatures, the term “about” placed before a numerical value “X” refers in the current application to an interval extending from X minus 10% of X to X plus 10% of X, and preferably to an interval extending from X minus 5% of X to X plus 5% of X. In the particular case of temperatures, the term “about” placed before a temperature “Y” refers in the current application to an interval extending from the temperature Y minus 10° C. to Y plus 10° C., and preferably to an interval extending from Y minus 5° C. to Y plus 5° C. Besides, the term “room temperature” as used herein refers to a temperature of about 25° C.

Further embodiments of the invention are presented hereinafter:

2) A second embodiment relates to compounds according to embodiment 1), wherein R¹ is halogen (especially chloro). 3) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to embodiments 1) or 2), wherein R² is methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, cyclopropyloxy, 2-methoxy-ethoxy or 2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethoxy (especially methoxy). 4) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one of embodiments 1) or 2), wherein R² is C₁₋₃-alkoxy (notably methoxy, isopropoxy, especially methoxy). 5) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one of embodiments 1) to 4), wherein Ari represents phenyl [wherein it is understood that said phenyl is substituted with R³ and R⁴ as explicitly defined]. 6) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one of embodiments 1) to 4), wherein Ari represents a 6-membered heteroaryl containing one or two nitrogen atoms (especially pyridinyl) [wherein it is understood that said heteroaryl is substituted with R³ and R⁴ as explicitly defined]. 7) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one of embodiments 1) to 6), wherein R³ represents isopropyl. 8) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one of embodiments 1) to 7), wherein R⁴ represents fluoro. 9) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one of embodiments 1) to 7), wherein R⁴ represents hydrogen. 10) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one of embodiments 1) to 4), wherein the fragment:

represents a ring independently selected from:

11) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one of embodiments 1) to 10), wherein m and n both are 1, or m and n both are 2. 12) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one of embodiments 1) to 10), wherein m and n both are 1. 13) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one of embodiments 1) to 12), wherein the group -L-R⁵ represents

-   -   hydrogen;     -   —C₁₋₄-alkyl;     -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; wherein the C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl         independently is unsubstituted or mono-substituted with halogen         (especially fluoro);     -   —CO—H;     -   L¹-CO—R^(C11) wherein R^(C11) independently represents hydroxy;         —O-benzyl; —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl; C₁-fluoroalkyl; or —NR^(N11)R^(N12);         wherein independently R^(N11) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and         R^(N12) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl, or —O—R^(O11),         wherein R^(O11) independently represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl,         or benzyl; and     -   L¹- independently represents         -   —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;         -   —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;             wherein in the above groups said C₁₋₆-alkylene independently             is mono-substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₃-alkoxy,             —O—CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, or —NR^(N13)R^(N14); wherein independently             R^(N13) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N14) is hydrogen,             C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;             wherein in the above groups said C₂₋₆-alkylene independently             is di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently             selected from hydroxy and —NR^(N15)R^(N16); wherein             independently R^(N15) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N16)             is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—NH—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or             —CO—O—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-;         -   —C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—NH—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; wherein Cy¹             independently represents a C₃₋₆-heterocycloalkylene             containing one ring oxygen atom, or one ring nitrogen atom,             wherein said ring nitrogen, in case it has a free valency,             independently is unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with             C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X¹²—C₁₋₄-alkylene-,             —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X¹²—C₁₋₄-alkylene-, or             —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X¹²—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-;             wherein X¹² independently represents oxygen, or a nitrogen             atom which is independently unsubstituted, or             mono-substituted with C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl,             —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl, or C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₂₋₄-alkylene-X¹³—C₁₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X¹³ represents             —NH—CO—, and wherein said C₂₋₄-alkylene independently is             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy;         -   —CO—C₂₋₆-alkenylene- or —SO₂—C₂₋₆-alkenylene-; or         -   —CO—C₂₋₆-fluoroalkylene-;     -   -L²-hydroxy; wherein -L²- represents         -   —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; wherein in the             above groups said C₁₋₆-alkylene independently is             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy,             C₁-fluoroalkyl, or —NR^(N21)R^(N22) wherein independently             R^(N21) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N22) is hydrogen,             C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, wherein in             the above groups said C₂₋₆-alkylene independently is             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy,             C₁-fluoroalkyl, or —NR^(N23)R^(N24) wherein independently             R^(N23) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N24) is hydrogen,             C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-;         -   —C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy²-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy²-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy²-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; wherein Cy²             independently represents a C₃₋₆-heterocycloalkylene group             containing one ring oxygen atom, or one ring nitrogen atom;             wherein said ring nitrogen, in case it has a free valency,             is independently unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with             C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²²—C₂₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²²—C₁₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-, or             —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²²—C₂₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X²²             represents a nitrogen atom which is independently             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with C₁₋₄-alkyl,             C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   —C₂₋₄-alkylene-X²³—C₁₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X²³ represents             —NH—CO—, and wherein said C₂₋₄-alkylene independently is             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy; or         -   3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-ene-1,2-diyl;     -   -L³-O—R^(O31) wherein R^(O31) is —C₁₋₄-alkyl, —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl or         —CO—C₂₋₄-alkenyl; and -L³- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁴-NR^(N1)R^(N2) wherein independently R^(N1) is hydrogen or         C₁₋₄-alkyl; and R^(N2) is hydrogen; C₁₋₄-alkyl;         C₁₋₃-fluoroalkyl; C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkylene;         —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkyl; or —SO₂—C₁-fluoroalkyl; and     -   L⁴- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-; or         -   —C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy⁴-C₀₋₄-alkylene-,             —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy⁴-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy⁴-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; wherein Cy⁴             independently represents a C₃₋₆-heterocycloalkylene group             containing one ring oxygen atom;     -   -L⁵-NR^(N3)R^(N4) wherein R^(N3) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, or         C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkylene; and R^(N4) is —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         —CO—NR^(N51)R^(N52) wherein R^(N5)1 and R^(N52) are         independently selected from hydrogen and C₁₋₄-alkyl; or         —SO₂—NR^(N53)R^(N54) wherein independently R^(N53) is hydrogen         or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N54) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, or         —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl;     -   and -L⁵- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁶-N(R^(N61))—O—R^(O61) wherein R^(N61) is hydrogen,         —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; and R^(O61) independently         represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl, or benzyl;     -   and -L⁶- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁷-NR^(N5)R^(N6) wherein R^(N5) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl         (especially hydrogen); R^(N6) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl,         —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₃-fluoroalkyl, or C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl (especially         hydrogen); and -L⁷- independently represents         -   —CO—, or —SO₂—;     -   -L⁸-SO₂—R^(S81) wherein R^(S81) independently represents         —C₁₋₆-alkyl; C₁-fluoroalkyl; hydroxy; —NR^(N81)R^(N82) wherein         independently R^(N81) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N82) is         hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkyl; and     -   L^(B)- independently represents         -   —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁹-HET¹, wherein HET¹ represents 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl         (especially pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl,         tetrazolyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl; thiazolyl,         isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl,         pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl),     -   wherein said HET¹ independently is unsubstituted or mono-, or         di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently         selected from C₁₋₄-alkyl (especially methyl); halogen; cyano;         hydroxy; hydroxymethyl; —C₀₋₂-alkylene-Cy⁹¹-COOR^(O91) wherein         R^(O91) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and wherein Cy⁹¹ represents a         C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene group; or —C₀₋₂-alkylene-COOR^(O92) wherein         R^(O92) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl; and     -   L⁹- independently represents         -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl, wherein the C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl         independently contains one or two ring heteroatoms independently         selected from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen; wherein in the above         groups said C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl independently is unsubstituted, or         mono-, di-, or tri-substituted wherein the substituents are         independently selected from:         -   one or two oxo substituents each attached to a ring carbon             atom in alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom (thus forming             together with the nitrogen an amide group, or, in case a             ring oxygen is additionaly adjacent, a carbamate group, or,             in case second ring nitrogen is additionaly adjacent, a urea             group); and/or         -   two methyl substituents attached to a ring carbon atom in             alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom or a ring oxygen atom             (thus forming together with the nitrogen a —C(CH₃)₂—N—or             with the oxygen a—C(CH₃)₂-O-group); and/or         -   two oxo substituents at a ring sulfur ring atom (thus             forming a —SO₂—group); and/or         -   C₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkyl, C₂₋₃-fluoroalkyl, or             —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl attached to a ring nitrogen atom having a             free valency; and     -   —L¹⁰- independently represents     -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂-C₀₋₆-alkylene-;     -   —L¹³-C₁₋₄-alkyl; wherein —L¹³- represents —CO—, —CO—O—, or         —SO₂-.         14) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one         of embodiments 1) to 12), wherein the group —L—R⁵ represents     -   hydrogen;     -   —C₁₋₄-alkyl;     -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; wherein the C₃₋₆-cydoalkyl         independently is unsubstituted or mono-substituted with halogen         (especially fluoro);     -   —CO—H;     -   —L¹-CO-R^(C11) wherein R^(C11) independently represents hydroxy;         —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl; or C₁-fluoroalkyl; and     -   —L¹—independently represents         -   —-C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO-C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO-O-C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L²hydroxy; wherein -L²- represents         -   -CO-C₁₋₆₋-alkylene- or -SO₂-C₁₋₆-alkylene-; wherein in the             above groups said C₁₋₆-alkylene independently is             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy,             C₁-fluoroalkyl, or —NR^(N21)R^(N22) wherein independently             R^(N21) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N22) is hydrogen,             C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         -   -C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O-C₂₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, wherein in             the above groups said C₂₋₆-alkylene independently is             unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy, or             C₁-fluoroalkyl; or         -   3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-ene-1,2-diyl;     -   -L³-O-R^(O31) wherein R^(O31) is -C₁₋₄-alkyl, —CO—C_(1.4)-alkyl         or —CO—C2 ₂₋₄-alkenyl; and     -   L³- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁴-NR^(N1)R^(N2) wherein independently R^(N1) is hydrogen or         C₁₋₄-alkyl; and R^(N2) is hydrogen; C₁₋₄-alkyl;         C₁₋₃-fluoroalkyl; C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkylene;         —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkyl; or —SO₂—C₁-fluoroalkyl; and     -   L⁴- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁵-NR^(N3)R^(N4) wherein R^(N3) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, or         C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkylene; and R^(N4) is —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl;         —CO—NR^(N51)R^(N52) wherein R^(N5)1 and R^(N52) are         independently selected from hydrogen and C₁₋₄-alkyl; or         —SO₂—NR^(N53)R^(N54) wherein independently R^(N53) is hydrogen         or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N54) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, or         —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl;     -   and -L⁵- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁷-NR^(N5)R^(N6) wherein R^(N5) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl         (especially hydrogen); R^(N6) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl,         —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₃-fluoroalkyl, or C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl (especially         hydrogen); and     -   L⁷- independently represents         -   —CO—, or —SO₂—;     -   -L⁸-SO₂—R^(S81) wherein R^(S81) independently represents         —C₁₋₆-alkyl; C₁-fluoroalkyl; hydroxy; —NR^(N81)R^(N82) wherein         independently R^(N81) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N82) is         hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkyl; and -L^(B)- independently         represents         -   —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁹-HET¹, wherein HET¹ represents 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl         (especially pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl,         tetrazolyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl; thiazolyl,         isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl,         pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl),     -   wherein said HET¹ independently is unsubstituted or mono-, or         di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently         selected from C₁₋₄-alkyl (especially methyl); halogen; cyano;         hydroxy; hydroxymethyl; —C₀₋₂-alkylene-Cy⁹¹-COOR^(O91) wherein         R^(O91) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and wherein Cy⁹¹ represents a         C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene group; or —C₀₋₂-alkylene-COOR^(O92) wherein         R^(O92) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl; and     -   L⁹- independently represents         -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—O—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl, wherein the C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl         independently contains one or two ring heteroatoms independently         selected from nitrogen and oxygen; wherein in the above groups         said C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl independently is unsubstituted, or mono-,         or di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently         selected from:         -   one or two oxo substituents each attached to a ring carbon             atom in alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom (thus forming             together with the nitrogen an amide group, or, in case a             ring oxygen is additionally adjacent, a carbamate group, or,             in case second ring nitrogen is additionally adjacent, a             urea group); and/or         -   two methyl substituents attached to a ring carbon atom in             alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom or a ring oxygen atom             (thus forming together with the nitrogen a —C(CH₃)₂—N— or             with the oxygen a —C(CH₃)₂—O-group); and     -   L¹⁰- independently represents         -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₆-alkylene-; or     -   -L¹³-C₁₋₄-alkyl; wherein -L¹³- represents —CO—, —CO—O—, or         —SO₂—.         15) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one         of embodiments 1) to 12), wherein the group -L-R⁵ represents     -   hydrogen;     -   —C₁₋₄-alkyl;     -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; wherein the C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl         independently is unsubstituted or mono-substituted with halogen         (especially fluoro);     -   —CO—H;     -   -L¹-CO—R^(C11) wherein R^(C11) independently represents hydroxy;         or —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl; and     -   L¹- independently represents         -   —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or             —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L²-hydroxy; wherein -L²- represents         -   —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or             —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, wherein in the above groups said             C₂₋₆-alkylene independently is unsubstituted, or             mono-substituted with hydroxy; or         -   3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-ene-1,2-diyl;     -   -L³-O—R^(O31) wherein R^(O31) is —C₁₋₄-alkyl or         —CO—C₂₋₄-alkenyl; and     -   L³- independently represents         -   —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-,             —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁴-NR^(N1)R^(N2) wherein independently R^(N1) is hydrogen or         C₁₋₄-alkyl; and R^(N2) is hydrogen; C₁₋₄-alkyl; or         —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkyl; and     -   L⁴- independently represents         -   —C₂-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁵-NR^(N3)R^(N4) wherein R^(N3) is hydrogen, or C₁₋₄-alkyl; and         R^(N4) is —SO₂—NR^(N53)R^(N54) wherein independently R^(N53) is         hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N54) is hydrogen, or C₁₋₄-alkyl;     -   and -L⁵- independently represents         -   —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁷-NR^(N5)R^(N6) wherein R^(N5) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl         (especially hydrogen); R^(N6) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, or         C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl (especially hydrogen); and     -   L⁷- independently represents         -   —CO—, or —SO₂—;     -   -L⁸-SO₂—R^(S81) wherein R^(S81) independently represents         —C₁₋₆-alkyl; C₁-fluoroalkyl; or hydroxy; and -L⁸- independently         represents         -   —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-;     -   -L⁹-HET¹, wherein HET¹ represents 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl         (especially pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl,         tetrazolyl, furanyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl; thiazolyl,         isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl,         pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl), wherein said HET¹ independently is         unsubstituted or mono-, or di-substituted wherein the         substituents are independently selected from C₁₋₄-alkyl         (especially methyl); halogen; cyano; hydroxy; hydroxymethyl;     -   C₀₋₂-alkylene-COOR^(O92) wherein R^(O92) is hydrogen or         C₁₋₄-alkyl; and     -   L⁹- independently represents         -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₆-alkylene;     -   -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl, wherein the C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl         independently contains one or two ring heteroatoms independently         selected from nitrogen and oxygen; wherein in the above groups         said C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl independently is unsubstituted, or mono-,         or di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently         selected from:         -   one or two oxo substituents each attached to a ring carbon             atom in alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom (thus forming             together with the nitrogen an amide group, or, in case a             ring oxygen is additionally adjacent, a carbamate group, or,             in case second ring nitrogen is additionally adjacent, a             urea group); and/or         -   two methyl substituents attached to a ring carbon atom in             alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom or a ring oxygen atom             (thus forming together with the nitrogen a —C(CH₃)₂—N— or             with the oxygen a —C(CH₃)₂—O-group); and     -   L¹⁰- independently represents         -   —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₆-alkylene-; or     -   -L¹³-C₁₋₄-alkyl; wherein -L¹³- represents —CO—, —CO—O—, or         —SO₂—.         16) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one         of embodiments 1) to 12), wherein the group -L-R⁵ represents     -   hydrogen;     -   isopropyl, isobutyl;     -   cyclobutyl;     -   —CO—H;     -   -L¹-COOH; wherein -L¹- represents         -   *—CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—, *—CH₂—CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—, *—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—,             or *—CO—CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—;     -   -L²-hydroxy; wherein -L²- represents         -   —CH₂—CH₂—, *—CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—;         -   *—CO—NH—CH₂—CH₂—; or         -   *—SO₂—CH₂—CH₂—,     -   -L³-O—CH₃, or -L³-O—CO—C(CH₃)═CH₂; wherein -L³- represents         -   *—CO—NH—CH₂—CH₂—;     -   -L⁷-NH₂, -L⁷-NH—CH₃, -L⁷-NH—CH₂—CH₃, -L⁷-NH—CH(CH₃)₂, or         -L⁷-NH-cyclopropyl; wherein -L⁷- represents         -   —CO—, or —SO₂—;     -   -L⁹-HET¹; wherein -L⁹-HET¹ represents

-   -   -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl; wherein -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl         represents

-   -   -L¹³-methyl; wherein -L¹³- represents —CO—, or —SO₂—;         wherein in the above groups the asterisks indicate the bond         which is connected to the rest of the molecule.         17) Another embodiment relates to compounds according to any one         of embodiments 1) to 12), wherein the group -L-R⁵ represents         —SO₂—NH₂.         18) The invention, thus, relates to compounds of the Formula (I)         as defined in embodiment 1), or to such compounds further         limited by the characteristics of any one of embodiments 2) to         17), under consideration of their respective dependencies; to         pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; and to the use of         such compounds as further described herein below. For avoidance         of any doubt, especially the following embodiments relating to         the compounds of Formula (I) are thus possible and intended and         herewith specifically disclosed in individualized form:         1, 2+1, 4+1, 4+2+1, 5+1, 5+2+1, 5+4+1, 5+4+2+1, 7+1, 7+2+1,         7+4+1, 7+4+2+1, 7+5+1, 7+5+2+1, 7+5+4+1, 7+5+4+2+1, 8+1, 8+2+1,         8+4+1, 8+4+2+1, 8+5+1, 8+5+2+1, 8+5+4+1, 8+5+4+2+1, 8+7+1,         8+7+2+1, 8+7+4+1, 8+7+4+2+1, 8+7+5+1, 8+7+5+2+1, 8+7+5+4+1,         8+7+5+4+2+1, 9+1, 9+2+1, 9+4+1, 9+4+2+1, 9+5+1, 9+5+2+1,         9+5+4+1, 9+5+4+2+1, 9+7+1, 9+7+2+1, 9+7+4+1, 9+7+4+2+1, 9+7+5+1,         9+7+5+2+1, 9+7+5+4+1, 9+7+5+4+2+1, 10+1, 10+2+1, 10+4+1,         10+4+2+1, 11+1, 11+2+1, 11+4+1, 11+4+2+1, 11+5+1, 11+5+2+1,         11+5+4+1, 11+5+4+2+1, 11+7+1, 11+7+2+1, 11+7+4+1, 11+7+4+2+1,         11+7+5+1, 11+7+5+2+1, 11+7+5+4+1, 11+7+5+4+2+1, 11+8+1,         11+8+2+1, 11+8+4+1, 11+8+4+2+1, 11+8+5+1, 11+8+5+2+1,         11+8+5+4+1, 11+8+5+4+2+1, 11+8+7+1, 11+8+7+2+1, 11+8+7+4+1,         11+8+7+4+2+1, 11+8+7+5+1, 11+8+7+5+2+1, 11+8+7+5+4+1,         11+8+7+5+4+2+1, 11+9+1, 11+9+2+1, 11+9+4+1, 11+9+4+2+1,         11+9+5+1, 11+9+5+2+1, 11+9+5+4+1, 11+9+5+4+2+1, 11+9+7+1,         11+9+7+2+1, 11+9+7+4+1, 11+9+7+4+2+1, 11+9+7+5+1, 11+9+7+5+2+1,         11+9+7+5+4+1, 11+9+7+5+4+2+1, 11+10+1, 11+10+2+1, 11+10+4+1,         11+10+4+2+1, 12+1, 12+2+1, 12+4+1, 12+4+2+1, 12+5+1, 12+5+2+1,         12+5+4+1, 12+5+4+2+1, 12+7+1, 12+7+2+1, 12+7+4+1, 12+7+4+2+1,         12+7+5+1, 12+7+5+2+1, 12+7+5+4+1, 12+7+5+4+2+1, 12+8+1,         12+8+2+1, 12+8+4+1, 12+8+4+2+1, 12+8+5+1, 12+8+5+2+1,         12+8+5+4+1, 12+8+5+4+2+1, 12+8+7+1, 12+8+7+2+1, 12+8+7+4+1,         12+8+7+4+2+1, 12+8+7+5+1, 12+8+7+5+2+1, 12+8+7+5+4+1,         12+8+7+5+4+2+1, 12+9+1, 12+9+2+1, 12+9+4+1, 12+9+4+2+1,         12+9+5+1, 12+9+5+2+1, 12+9+5+4+1, 12+9+5+4+2+1, 12+9+7+1,         12+9+7+2+1, 12+9+7+4+1, 12+9+7+4+2+1, 12+9+7+5+1, 12+9+7+5+2+1,         12+9+7+5+4+1, 12+9+7+5+4+2+1, 12+10+1, 12+10+2+1, 12+10+4+1,         12+10+4+2+1, 14+1, 14+2+1, 14+4+1, 14+4+2+1, 14+5+1, 14+5+2+1,         14+5+4+1, 14+5+4+2+1, 14+7+1, 14+7+2+1, 14+7+4+1, 14+7+4+2+1,         14+7+5+1, 14+7+5+2+1, 14+7+5+4+1, 14+7+5+4+2+1, 14+8+1,         14+8+2+1, 14+8+4+1, 14+8+4+2+1, 14+8+5+1, 14+8+5+2+1,         14+8+5+4+1, 14+8+5+4+2+1, 14+8+7+1, 14+8+7+2+1, 14+8+7+4+1,         14+8+7+4+2+1, 14+8+7+5+1, 14+8+7+5+2+1, 14+8+7+5+4+1,         14+8+7+5+4+2+1, 14+9+1, 14+9+2+1, 14+9+4+1, 14+9+4+2+1,         14+9+5+1, 14+9+5+2+1, 14+9+5+4+1, 14+9+5+4+2+1, 14+9+7+1,         14+9+7+2+1, 14+9+7+4+1, 14+9+7+4+2+1, 14+9+7+5+1, 14+9+7+5+2+1,         14+9+7+5+4+1, 14+9+7+5+4+2+1, 14+10+1, 14+10+2+1, 14+10+4+1,         14+10+4+2+1, 14+11+1, 14+11+2+1, 14+11+4+1, 14+11+4+2+1,         14+11+5+1, 14+11+5+2+1, 14+11+5+4+1, 14+11+5+4+2+1, 14+11+7+1,         14+11+7+2+1, 14+11+7+4+1, 14+11+7+4+2+1, 14+11+7+5+1,         14+11+7+5+2+1, 14+11+7+5+4+1, 14+11+7+5+4+2+1, 14+11+8+1,         14+11+8+2+1, 14+11+8+4+1, 14+11+8+4+2+1, 14+11+8+5+1,         14+11+8+5+2+1, 14+11+8+5+4+1, 14+11+8+5+4+2+1, 14+11+8+7+1,         14+11+8+7+2+1, 14+11+8+7+4+1, 14+11+8+7+4+2+1, 14+11+8+7+5+1,         14+11+8+7+5+2+1, 14+11+8+7+5+4+1, 14+11+8+7+5+4+2+1, 14+11+9+1,         14+11+9+2+1, 14+11+9+4+1, 14+11+9+4+2+1, 14+11+9+5+1,         14+11+9+5+2+1, 14+11+9+5+4+1, 14+11+9+5+4+2+1, 14+11+9+7+1,         14+11+9+7+2+1, 14+11+9+7+4+1, 14+11+9+7+4+2+1, 14+11+9+7+5+1,         14+11+9+7+5+2+1, 14+11+9+7+5+4+1, 14+11+9+7+5+4+2+1, 14+11+10+1,         14+11+10+2+1, 14+11+10+4+1, 14+11+10+4+2+1, 14+12+1, 14+12+2+1,         14+12+4+1, 14+12+4+2+1, 14+12+5+1, 14+12+5+2+1, 14+12+5+4+1,         14+12+5+4+2+1, 14+12+7+1, 14+12+7+2+1, 14+12+7+4+1,         14+12+7+4+2+1, 14+12+7+5+1, 14+12+7+5+2+1, 14+12+7+5+4+1,         14+12+7+5+4+2+1, 14+12+8+1, 14+12+8+2+1, 14+12+8+4+1,         14+12+8+4+2+1, 14+12+8+5+1, 14+12+8+5+2+1, 14+12+8+5+4+1,         14+12+8+5+4+2+1, 14+12+8+7+1, 14+12+8+7+2+1, 14+12+8+7+4+1,         14+12+8+7+4+2+1, 14+12+8+7+5+1, 14+12+8+7+5+2+1,         14+12+8+7+5+4+1, 14+12+8+7+5+4+2+1, 14+12+9+1, 14+12+9+2+1,         14+12+9+4+1, 14+12+9+4+2+1, 14+12+9+5+1, 14+12+9+5+2+1,         14+12+9+5+4+1, 14+12+9+5+4+2+1, 14+12+9+7+1, 14+12+9+7+2+1,         14+12+9+7+4+1, 14+12+9+7+4+2+1, 14+12+9+7+5+1, 14+12+9+7+5+2+1,         14+12+9+7+5+4+1, 14+12+9+7+5+4+2+1, 14+12+10+1, 14+12+10+2+1,         14+12+10+4+1, 14+12+10+4+2+1, 15+1, 15+2+1, 15+4+1, 15+4+2+1,         15+5+1, 15+5+2+1, 15+5+4+1, 15+5+4+2+1, 15+7+1, 15+7+2+1,         15+7+4+1, 15+7+4+2+1, 15+7+5+1, 15+7+5+2+1, 15+7+5+4+1,         15+7+5+4+2+1, 15+8+1, 15+8+2+1, 15+8+4+1, 15+8+4+2+1, 15+8+5+1,         15+8+5+2+1, 15+8+5+4+1, 15+8+5+4+2+1, 15+8+7+1, 15+8+7+2+1,         15+8+7+4+1, 15+8+7+4+2+1, 15+8+7+5+1, 15+8+7+5+2+1,         15+8+7+5+4+1, 15+8+7+5+4+2+1, 15+9+1, 15+9+2+1, 15+9+4+1,         15+9+4+2+1, 15+9+5+1, 15+9+5+2+1, 15+9+5+4+1, 15+9+5+4+2+1,         15+9+7+1, 15+9+7+2+1, 15+9+7+4+1, 15+9+7+4+2+1, 15+9+7+5+1,         15+9+7+5+2+1, 15+9+7+5+4+1, 15+9+7+5+4+2+1, 15+10+1, 15+10+2+1,         15+10+4+1, 15+10+4+2+1, 15+11+1, 15+11+2+1, 15+11+4+1,         15+11+4+2+1, 15+11+5+1, 15+11+5+2+1, 15+11+5+4+1, 15+11+5+4+2+1,         15+11+7+1, 15+11+7+2+1, 15+11+7+4+1, 15+11+7+4+2+1, 15+11+7+5+1,         15+11+7+5+2+1, 15+11+7+5+4+1, 15+11+7+5+4+2+1, 15+11+8+1,         15+11+8+2+1, 15+11+8+4+1, 15+11+8+4+2+1, 15+11+8+5+1,         15+11+8+5+2+1, 15+11+8+5+4+1, 15+11+8+5+4+2+1, 15+11+8+7+1,         15+11+8+7+2+1, 15+11+8+7+4+1, 15+11+8+7+4+2+1, 15+11+8+7+5+1,         15+11+8+7+5+2+1, 15+11+8+7+5+4+1, 15+11+8+7+5+4+2+1, 15+11+9+1,         15+11+9+2+1, 15+11+9+4+1, 15+11+9+4+2+1, 15+11+9+5+1,         15+11+9+5+2+1, 15+11+9+5+4+1, 15+11+9+5+4+2+1, 15+11+9+7+1,         15+11+9+7+2+1, 15+11+9+7+4+1, 15+11+9+7+4+2+1, 15+11+9+7+5+1,         15+11+9+7+5+2+1, 15+11+9+7+5+4+1, 15+11+9+7+5+4+2+1, 15+11+10+1,         15+11+10+2+1, 15+11+10+4+1, 15+11+10+4+2+1, 15+12+1, 15+12+2+1,         15+12+4+1, 15+12+4+2+1, 15+12+5+1, 15+12+5+2+1, 15+12+5+4+1,         15+12+5+4+2+1, 15+12+7+1, 15+12+7+2+1, 15+12+7+4+1,         15+12+7+4+2+1, 15+12+7+5+1, 15+12+7+5+2+1, 15+12+7+5+4+1,         15+12+7+5+4+2+1, 15+12+8+1, 15+12+8+2+1, 15+12+8+4+1,         15+12+8+4+2+1, 15+12+8+5+1, 15+12+8+5+2+1, 15+12+8+5+4+1,         15+12+8+5+4+2+1, 15+12+8+7+1, 15+12+8+7+2+1, 15+12+8+7+4+1,         15+12+8+7+4+2+1, 15+12+8+7+5+1, 15+12+8+7+5+2+1,         15+12+8+7+5+4+1, 15+12+8+7+5+4+2+1, 15+12+9+1, 15+12+9+2+1,         15+12+9+4+1, 15+12+9+4+2+1, 15+12+9+5+1, 15+12+9+5+2+1,         15+12+9+5+4+1, 15+12+9+5+4+2+1, 15+12+9+7+1, 15+12+9+7+2+1,         15+12+9+7+4+1, 15+12+9+7+4+2+1, 15+12+9+7+5+1, 15+12+9+7+5+2+1,         15+12+9+7+5+4+1, 15+12+9+7+5+4+2+1, 15+12+10+1, 15+12+10+2+1,         15+12+10+4+1, 15+12+10+4+2+1, 16+1, 16+2+1, 16+4+1, 16+4+2+1,         16+5+1, 16+5+2+1, 16+5+4+1, 16+5+4+2+1, 16+7+1, 16+7+2+1,         16+7+4+1, 16+7+4+2+1, 16+7+5+1, 16+7+5+2+1, 16+7+5+4+1,         16+7+5+4+2+1, 16+8+1, 16+8+2+1, 16+8+4+1, 16+8+4+2+1, 16+8+5+1,         16+8+5+2+1, 16+8+5+4+1, 16+8+5+4+2+1, 16+8+7+1, 16+8+7+2+1,         16+8+7+4+1, 16+8+7+4+2+1, 16+8+7+5+1, 16+8+7+5+2+1,         16+8+7+5+4+1, 16+8+7+5+4+2+1, 16+9+1, 16+9+2+1, 16+9+4+1,         16+9+4+2+1, 16+9+5+1, 16+9+5+2+1, 16+9+5+4+1, 16+9+5+4+2+1,         16+9+7+1, 16+9+7+2+1, 16+9+7+4+1, 16+9+7+4+2+1, 16+9+7+5+1,         16+9+7+5+2+1, 16+9+7+5+4+1, 16+9+7+5+4+2+1, 16+10+1, 16+10+2+1,         16+10+4+1, 16+10+4+2+1, 16+11+1, 16+11+2+1, 16+11+4+1,         16+11+4+2+1, 16+11+5+1, 16+11+5+2+1, 16+11+5+4+1, 16+11+5+4+2+1,         16+11+7+1, 16+11+7+2+1, 16+11+7+4+1, 16+11+7+4+2+1, 16+11+7+5+1,         16+11+7+5+2+1, 16+11+7+5+4+1, 16+11+7+5+4+2+1, 16+11+8+1,         16+11+8+2+1, 16+11+8+4+1, 16+11+8+4+2+1, 16+11+8+5+1,         16+11+8+5+2+1, 16+11+8+5+4+1, 16+11+8+5+4+2+1, 16+11+8+7+1,         16+11+8+7+2+1, 16+11+8+7+4+1, 16+11+8+7+4+2+1, 16+11+8+7+5+1,         16+11+8+7+5+2+1, 16+11+8+7+5+4+1, 16+11+8+7+5+4+2+1, 16+11+9+1,         16+11+9+2+1, 16+11+9+4+1, 16+11+9+4+2+1, 16+11+9+5+1,         16+11+9+5+2+1, 16+11+9+5+4+1, 16+11+9+5+4+2+1, 16+11+9+7+1,         16+11+9+7+2+1, 16+11+9+7+4+1, 16+11+9+7+4+2+1, 16+11+9+7+5+1,         16+11+9+7+5+2+1, 16+11+9+7+5+4+1, 16+11+9+7+5+4+2+1, 16+11+10+1,         16+11+10+2+1, 16+11+10+4+1, 16+11+10+4+2+1, 16+12+1, 16+12+2+1,         16+12+4+1, 16+12+4+2+1, 16+12+5+1, 16+12+5+2+1, 16+12+5+4+1,         16+12+5+4+2+1, 16+12+7+1, 16+12+7+2+1, 16+12+7+4+1,         16+12+7+4+2+1, 16+12+7+5+1, 16+12+7+5+2+1, 16+12+7+5+4+1,         16+12+7+5+4+2+1, 16+12+8+1, 16+12+8+2+1, 16+12+8+4+1,         16+12+8+4+2+1, 16+12+8+5+1, 16+12+8+5+2+1, 16+12+8+5+4+1,         16+12+8+5+4+2+1, 16+12+8+7+1, 16+12+8+7+2+1, 16+12+8+7+4+1,         16+12+8+7+4+2+1, 16+12+8+7+5+1, 16+12+8+7+5+2+1,         16+12+8+7+5+4+1, 16+12+8+7+5+4+2+1, 16+12+9+1, 16+12+9+2+1,         16+12+9+4+1, 16+12+9+4+2+1, 16+12+9+5+1, 16+12+9+5+2+1,         16+12+9+5+4+1, 16+12+9+5+4+2+1, 16+12+9+7+1, 16+12+9+7+2+1,         16+12+9+7+4+1, 16+12+9+7+4+2+1, 16+12+9+7+5+1, 16+12+9+7+5+2+1,         16+12+9+7+5+4+1, 16+12+9+7+5+4+2+1, 16+12+10+1, 16+12+10+2+1,         16+12+10+4+1, 16+12+10+4+2+1, 17+1, 17+2+1, 17+4+1, 17+4+2+1,         17+5+1, 17+5+2+1, 17+5+4+1, 17+5+4+2+1, 17+7+1, 17+7+2+1,         17+7+4+1, 17+7+4+2+1, 17+7+5+1, 17+7+5+2+1, 17+7+5+4+1,         17+7+5+4+2+1, 17+8+1, 17+8+2+1, 17+8+4+1, 17+8+4+2+1, 17+8+5+1,         17+8+5+2+1, 17+8+5+4+1, 17+8+5+4+2+1, 17+8+7+1, 17+8+7+2+1,         17+8+7+4+1, 17+8+7+4+2+1, 17+8+7+5+1, 17+8+7+5+2+1,         17+8+7+5+4+1, 17+8+7+5+4+2+1, 17+9+1, 17+9+2+1, 17+9+4+1,         17+9+4+2+1, 17+9+5+1, 17+9+5+2+1, 17+9+5+4+1, 17+9+5+4+2+1,         17+9+7+1, 17+9+7+2+1, 17+9+7+4+1, 17+9+7+4+2+1, 17+9+7+5+1,         17+9+7+5+2+1, 17+9+7+5+4+1, 17+9+7+5+4+2+1, 17+10+1, 17+10+2+1,         17+10+4+1, 17+10+4+2+1, 17+11+1, 17+11+2+1, 17+11+4+1,         17+11+4+2+1, 17+11+5+1, 17+11+5+2+1, 17+11+5+4+1, 17+11+5+4+2+1,         17+11+7+1, 17+11+7+2+1, 17+11+7+4+1, 17+11+7+4+2+1, 17+11+7+5+1,         17+11+7+5+2+1, 17+11+7+5+4+1, 17+11+7+5+4+2+1, 17+11+8+1,         17+11+8+2+1, 17+11+8+4+1, 17+11+8+4+2+1, 17+11+8+5+1,         17+11+8+5+2+1, 17+11+8+5+4+1, 17+11+8+5+4+2+1, 17+11+8+7+1,         17+11+8+7+2+1, 17+11+8+7+4+1, 17+11+8+7+4+2+1, 17+11+8+7+5+1,         17+11+8+7+5+2+1, 17+11+8+7+5+4+1, 17+11+8+7+5+4+2+1, 17+11+9+1,         17+11+9+2+1, 17+11+9+4+1, 17+11+9+4+2+1, 17+11+9+5+1,         17+11+9+5+2+1, 17+11+9+5+4+1, 17+11+9+5+4+2+1, 17+11+9+7+1,         17+11+9+7+2+1, 17+11+9+7+4+1, 17+11+9+7+4+2+1, 17+11+9+7+5+1,         17+11+9+7+5+2+1, 17+11+9+7+5+4+1, 17+11+9+7+5+4+2+1, 17+11+10+1,         17+11+10+2+1, 17+11+10+4+1, 17+11+10+4+2+1, 17+12+1, 17+12+2+1,         17+12+4+1, 17+12+4+2+1, 17+12+5+1, 17+12+5+2+1, 17+12+5+4+1,         17+12+5+4+2+1, 17+12+7+1, 17+12+7+2+1, 17+12+7+4+1,         17+12+7+4+2+1, 17+12+7+5+1, 17+12+7+5+2+1, 17+12+7+5+4+1,         17+12+7+5+4+2+1, 17+12+8+1, 17+12+8+2+1, 17+12+8+4+1,         17+12+8+4+2+1, 17+12+8+5+1, 17+12+8+5+2+1, 17+12+8+5+4+1,         17+12+8+5+4+2+1, 17+12+8+7+1, 17+12+8+7+2+1, 17+12+8+7+4+1,         17+12+8+7+4+2+1, 17+12+8+7+5+1, 17+12+8+7+5+2+1,         17+12+8+7+5+4+1, 17+12+8+7+5+4+2+1, 17+12+9+1, 17+12+9+2+1,         17+12+9+4+1, 17+12+9+4+2+1, 17+12+9+5+1, 17+12+9+5+2+1,         17+12+9+5+4+1, 17+12+9+5+4+2+1, 17+12+9+7+1, 17+12+9+7+2+1,         17+12+9+7+4+1, 17+12+9+7+4+2+1, 17+12+9+7+5+1, 17+12+9+7+5+2+1,         17+12+9+7+5+4+1, 17+12+9+7+5+4+2+1, 17+12+10+1, 17+12+10+2+1,         17+12+10+4+1, 17+12+10+4+2+1.

In the list above the numbers refer to the embodiments according to their numbering provided hereinabove whereas “+” indicates the dependency from another embodiment. The different individualized embodiments are separated by commas. In other words, “16+11+9+1” for example refers to embodiment 16) depending on embodiment 11), depending on embodiment 9), depending on embodiment 1), i.e. embodiment “16+11+9+1” corresponds to the compounds of Formula (I) as defined in embodiment 1), further limited by all the structural features of the embodiments 9), 11), and 16).

19) Another embodiment relates to compounds of Formula (I) according to embodiment 1), which are selected from the following compounds:

-   N-(6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-cyclopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-(2-methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   (S)—N-(6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxamide; -   3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-fluoro-6-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(5-fluoro-2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(6-fluoro-3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-cyclopentylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-isopropyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-isobutyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   1-(2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   1-(3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)propyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)acetic     acid; -   1-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-cyclobutyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(oxetan-3-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-((1-fluorocyclopropyl)methyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   (R)—N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-((2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   (R)—N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   1-((1H-pyrazol-3-yl)methyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   1-((1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   1-((1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   methyl     4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoate; -   4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic     acid; methyl     4-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoate; -   4-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic     acid; -   4-(3-((6-chloro-4-isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic     acid; -   methyl     4-(4-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoate; -   4-(4-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic     acid; -   4-(3-((6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic     acid; -   ethyl     5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoate; -   5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoic     acid; -   ethyl     5-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoate; -   5-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoic     acid; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-(sulfamoylamino)ethyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-hydroxypropanoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   1-acetyl-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-formyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(oxetane-3-carbonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-hydroxyisoxazole-5-carbonyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-hydroxy-1,2,4-oxadiazole-3-carbonyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)acetyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-(4-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-(4-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   1-(2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)acetyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   1-(2-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-(3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-(3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)acetyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(sulfamoylglycyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-((methylsulfonyl)glycyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-(methylsulfonyl)acetyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide;     methyl     4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoate; -   4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic     acid; -   4-(3-((6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic     acid; -   4-(4-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic     acid; -   4-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic     acid; -   4-(3-((6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic     acid; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(methylsulfonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-((2-methoxyethyl)sulfonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-((2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)sulfonyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(oxetan-3-ylsulfonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-cyclopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-(2-methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   (S)—N-(6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylpiperidine-4-carboxamide; -   N-(6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-cyclopentylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(N-methylsulfamoyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(N-cyclopropylsulfamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-fluoro-6-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(5-fluoro-2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(6-fluoro-3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(N-(2-methoxyethyl)sulfamoyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; -   N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N1-methylazetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; -   N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-ethyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; -   N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-isopropyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; -   (S)—N3-(6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-yl)-N1-cyclopropyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; -   (S)—N3-(6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-yl)-N1-cyclopropyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; -   N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-cyclopropyl-3-(3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; -   2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxamido)ethyl     methacrylate; -   N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; -   N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N1-(2-methoxyethyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide;     ethyl     (3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carbonyl)glycinate; -   (3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carbonyl)glycine; -   ethyl     3-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxamido)propanoate; -   3-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxamido)propanoic     acid; -   N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N1,N1-dimethylazetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide;     methyl     3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxylate; -   2-methoxyethyl     3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxylate; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(3-methylpyridin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-fluoropyridin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-fluoro-2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoro-2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(4-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-cyanopyrimidin-2-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoropyrimidin-2-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(pyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(5-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   1-(6-chloro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxamide: -   methyl     5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxylate; -   5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxylic     acid; -   methyl     6-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)nicotinate; -   methyl     2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrimidine-5-carboxylate; -   2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrimidine-5-carboxylic     acid; -   methyl     6-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyridazine-3-carboxylate; -   ethyl     2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)oxazole-4-carboxylate; -   ethyl     2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)oxazole-4-carboxylate; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(4-oxo-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide;     and -   N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-hydroxy-3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-en-1-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide.

The compounds of Formula (I) according to embodiments 1) to 19) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be used as medicaments, e.g. in the form of pharmaceutical compositions for enteral (such especially oral e.g. in form of a tablet or a capsule) or parenteral administration (including topical application or inhalation).

The production of the pharmaceutical compositions can be effected in a manner which will be familiar to any person skilled in the art (see for example Remington, The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 21st Edition (2005), Part 5, “Pharmaceutical Manufacturing” [published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins]) by bringing the described compounds of Formula (I) or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, optionally in combination with other therapeutically valuable substances, into a galenical administration form together with suitable, non-toxic, inert, therapeutically compatible solid or liquid carrier materials and, if desired, usual pharmaceutical adjuvants.

The present invention also relates to a method for the prevention/prophylaxis or treatment of a disease or disorder mentioned herein comprising administering to a subject a pharmaceutically active amount of a compound of Formula (I) according to embodiments 1) to 19).

For avoidance of any doubt, if compounds are described as useful for the prevention/prophylaxis or treatment of certain diseases, such compounds are likewise suitable for use in the preparation of a medicament for the prevention/prophylaxis or treatment of said diseases. Likewise, such compounds are also suitable in a method for the prevention/prophylaxis or treatment of such diseases, comprising administering to a subject (a mammal, especially a human) in need thereof, an effective amount of such compound.

The compounds of Formula (I) according to embodiments 1) to 19) are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of fibrosis (and diseases or disorders associated with fibrosis), or of other disorders mediated by LPA₁ receptor signalling.

The terms “fibrosis” refers to conditions that are associated with the abnormal accumulation of cells and/or fibronectin and/or collagen and/or increased fibroblast recruitment in an organ; including fibrosis of individual organs or tissues such as the heart, kidney, liver, joints, lung, pleural tissue, peritoneal tissue, skin, cornea, retina, musculoskeletal and digestive tract.

The term fibrosis may in particular be defined as comprising

-   -   pulmonary fibrosis including lung diseases associated with         fibrosis, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; pulmonary         fibrosis secondary to systemic inflammatory disease such as         rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma (systemic sclerosis; SSc),         lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus; SLE); cryptogenic fibrosing         alveolitis; pulmonary fibrosis secondary to sarcoidosis;         iatrogenic pulmonary fibrosis including radiation induced         fibrosis; silicosis (silicosis-induced pulmonary fibrosis);         asbestos induced pulmonary fibrosis; and pleural fibrosis;     -   renal fibrosis; including renal fibrosis associated with CKD,         chronic renal failure, tubulointerstitial nephritis, and/or         chronic nephropathies such as (primary) glomerulonephritis and         glomerulonephritis secondary to systemic inflammatory diseases         such as lupus and scleroderma, diabetes, focal segmental         glomerular sclerosis, IgA nephropathy, hypertension, renal         allograft, and Alport syndrome;     -   gut fibrosis, including gut fibrosis secondary to scleroderma,         and radiation induced gut fibrosis;     -   liver fibrosis, including cirrhosis, alcohol induced liver         fibrosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, biliary duct injury,         primary biliary cirrhosis (also known as primary biliary         cholangitis), infection or viral induced liver fibrosis (e.g.         chronic HCV infection), and autoimmune hepatitis;     -   head and neck fibrosis, including radiation induced head and         neck fibrosis;     -   corneal scarring, including sequelae of LASIK (laser-assisted in         situ keratomileusis), corneal transplant, and trabeculectomy;     -   hypertrophic scarring and keloids, including burn induced or         surgical hypertrophic scarring and keloids;     -   and other fibrotic diseases, e.g. endometriosis, spinal cord         fibrosis, myelofibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, perivascular         fibrosis; as well as formation of scar tissue, Peyronie's         disease, abdominal or bowel adhesions, bladder fibrosis,         fibrosis of the nasal passages, and fibrosis mediated by         fibroblasts.

The term “prevention/prophylaxis of fibrosis” includes the prevention of fibrosis in a subject that has been exposed to one or more environmental conditions that are known to increase the risk of fibrosis of an organ or tissue, especially the risk of lung, liver or kidney fibrosis; or in a subject that has a genetic predisposition of developing fibrosis of an organ or tissue; as well as the prevention or minimization of scarring following injury including surgery.

Other disorders mediated by LPA₁ receptor signalling notably comprise dermatological disorders, pain, malignant and benign proliferative diseases, respiratory diseases, nervous system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory disorders, obesity, and insulin resistance.

The term “dermatological disorder,” refers to a skin disorder. Such dermatological disorders include proliferative or inflammatory disorders of the skin such as systemic sclerosis, atopic dermatitis, bullous disorders, collagenosis, psoriasis, scleroderma, psoriatic lesions, dermatitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, urticaria, rosacea, wound healing, scarring, hypertrophic scarring, keloids, Kawasaki Disease, Sjogren-Larsso syndrome; especially systemic sclerosis.

The term “pain” refers to acute pain, chronic pain, and neuropathic pain. A particular example is fibromyalgia, especially fibromyalgia that stems from the formation of fibrous scar tissue in contractile muscles, and cancer pain.

The term “malignant and benign proliferative disease” especially refers to cancer, and the control of proliferation of tumor cells, invasion and/or metastasis of carcinomas.

The term “cancer,” refers to all sorts of cancers such as carcinomas; adenocarcinomas; leukemias; sarcomas; lymphomas; myelomas; metastatic cancers; brain tumors; neuroblastomas; pancreatic cancers; gastro-intestinal cancers; lung cancers; breast cancers; prostate cancers; endometrial cancers; skin cancers; bladder cancers; head and neck cancers; neuroendocrine tumors; ovarian cancers; cervical cancers; oral tumors; nasopharyngeal tumors; thoracic cancers; and virally induced tumors. Notably the term refers to pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and bone metastases, as well as brain tumors including brain metastases, malignant gliomas, glioblastoma multiforme, medulloblastoma, meningiomas; neuroblastoma; pancreatic cancer including pancreatic adenocarcinoma/pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; gastro-intestinal cancers including colon carcinoma, colorectal adenoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, metastatic colorectal cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), gastric cancer, gallbladder cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma; Kaposi's sarcoma; leukemias including acute myeloid leukemia, adult T-cell leukemia; lymphomas including Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, MALT lymphoma, and primary intra-ocular B-Cell lymphoma; lung cancer including non-small cell lung cancer; breast cancer including triple negative breast carcinoma; rhabdomyosarcoma; prostate cancer including castrate-resistant prostate cancer; esophageal squamous cancer; (oral) squamous cell carcinoma; endometrial cancer; thyroid carcinoma including papillary thyroid carcinoma; metastatic cancers; lung metastasis; skin cancer including melanoma and metastatic melanoma; bladder cancer including urinary bladder cancer, urothelial cell carcinoma; multiple myelomas; osteosarcoma; head and neck cancer; and renal carcinomas including renal cell carcinoma renal clear cell carcinoma, metastatic renal cell carcinoma, metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma; as well as neuroendocrine tumors; ovarian cancer; cervical cancer; oral tumors; nasopharyngeal tumors; thoracic cancer; choriocarcinoma; Ewing's sarcoma; and virally induced tumors.

The term “respiratory disease,” refers to diseases affecting the organs that are involved in breathing, such as the nose, throat, larynx, eustachian tubes, trachea, bronchi, lungs, related muscles (e.g. diaphragm and intercostals), and nerves. Respiratory diseases include interstitial pneumonia, asthma referring to any disorder of the lungs characterized by variations in pulmonary gas flow associated with airway constriction of whatever cause (intrinsic, extrinsic, or both; allergic or non-allergic) including adult respiratory distress syndrome and allergic (extrinsic) asthma, non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma, acute severe asthma, chronic asthma, clinical asthma, nocturnal asthma, allergen-induced asthma, aspirin-sensitive asthma, exercise-induced asthma, isocapnic hyperventilation, child-onset asthma, adult-onset asthma, cough-variant asthma, occupational asthma, steroid-resistant asthma, seasonal asthma; rhinitis including seasonal allergic rhinitis, perennial allergic rhinitis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis or emphysema; airway inflammation, sarcoidosis, cystic fibrosis, hypoxia, and acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress (including bacterial pneumonia induced, trauma induced, viral pneumonia induced, ventilator induced, non-pulmonary sepsis induced, and aspiration induced).

The term “nervous system disorder” refers to conditions that alter the structure or function of the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nervous system, including but not limited to Alzheimer's Disease, cerebral edema, multiple sclerosis, neuropathies, Parkinson's Disease, nervous system disorders resulting from blunt or surgical trauma (including post-surgical cognitive dysfunction and spinal cord or brain stem injury, and head injury), migraine, as well as the neurological aspects of disorders such as degenerative disk disease and sciatica.

The term “cardiovascular disease,” as used herein refers to diseases affecting the heart or blood vessels or both, including but not limited to: arrhythmia (atrial or ventricular or both); atherosclerosis and its sequelae; cerebral ischemia, stroke, angina; cardiac rhythm disturbances; myocardial ischemia; myocardial infarction; cardiac or vascular aneurysm including aortic aneurysm; retinal ischemia; reperfusion injury following ischemia of the brain, heart or other organ or tissue; restenosis; peripheral obstructive arteriopathy of a limb, an organ, or a tissue; endotoxic, surgical, or traumatic shock; hypertension, valvular heart disease, heart failure, abnormal blood pressure; shock; vasoconstriction (including that associated with migraines); vascular abnormality, thrombosis, insufficiency limited to a single organ or tissue.

The term “inflammatory disorder” include psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, inflammatory bowel disease, dermatitis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory muscle disease, vaginitis, interstitial cystitis, scleroderma, eczema, allogeneic or xenogeneic transplantation (organ, bone marrow, stem cells and other cells and tissues) graft rejection, graft-versus-host disease, mixed connective tissue disease, lupus erythematosus, type I diabetes, dermatomyositis, phlebitis, Sjogren's syndrome, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, Wegener's granulomatosis), thyroiditis (e.g., Hashimoto's and autoimmune thyroiditis), myasthenia gravis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, chronic relapsing hepatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, sinusitis, and inflammation mediated by neutrophils.

Further disorders in which LPA₁ receptor plays a role notably comprise prostate and bladder disorders such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, diseases linked to eosinophil and/or basophil and/or dendritic cell and/or neutrophil and/or monocyte and/or T-cell recruitment, cardiomyopathy, myocardial remodeling, vascular remodeling, vascular permeability disorders, renal diseases, renal papillary necrosis, renal failure, tumor growth, metabolic diseases, pruritus, ocular diseases, macular degeneration, endocrine disorders, hyperthyroidism, osteoporosis, diabetes-related disease (nephropathy, retinopathy).

The present invention further relates to the compounds of the Formula (I) for use in the treatment of the diseases and disorders mentioned herein (especially for the treatment of fibrosis) wherein the compound of Formula (I) is intended to be used in combination (whether in a single pharmaceutical composition, or in separate treatment) with one or several antifibrotic agents. Examples of such antifibrotic agents include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, B-cell antagonists, and uteroglobin.

Preparation of Compounds of Formula (I):

The compounds of Formula (I) can be prepared by well-known literature methods, by the methods given below, by the methods given in the experimental part below or by analogous methods. Optimum reaction conditions may vary with the particular reactants or solvents used, but such conditions can be determined by a person skilled in the art by routine optimisation procedures. In some cases, the order of carrying out the following reaction schemes, and/or reaction steps, may be varied to facilitate the reaction or to avoid unwanted reaction products. In the general sequence of reactions outlined below, the generic groups R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and L-R⁵, are as defined for Formula (I). Other abbreviations used herein are explicitly defined, or are as defined in the experimental section. In some instances, the generic groups R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and L-R⁵ might be incompatible with the assembly illustrated in the schemes below and so will require the use of protecting groups (PG). The use of protecting groups is well known in the art (see for example “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, T. W. Greene, P. G. M. Wuts, Wiley-Interscience, 1999; P. J. Kocienski, Protecting Groups, Thieme Stuttgart, 1994). For the purposes of this discussion, it will be assumed that such protecting groups as necessary are in place. In some cases, the final product may be further modified, for example, by manipulation of substituents to give a new final product. These manipulations may include, but are not limited to, reduction, oxidation, alkylation, acylation, hydrolysis and transition-metal catalysed cross-coupling reactions which are commonly known to those skilled in the art. The compounds obtained may also be converted into salts, especially pharmaceutically acceptable salts, in a manner known per se.

The compounds of Formula (I) can be manufactured by the methods given below, by the methods given in the experimental part or by analogous methods. Optimum reaction conditions may vary with the particular reactants or solvents used, but such conditions can be determined by a person skilled in the art by routine optimisation procedures.

Compounds of the Formula (I) of the present invention can be prepared according to the general sequence of reactions outlined below. Only a few of the synthetic possibilities leading to compounds of Formula (I) are described.

Compounds of Formula (I) are prepared by reacting a compound of Structure 1 with a compound of Structure 2 in a solvent such as DMF, THF, DCM, EtOAc etc. in the presence of one or more carboxylate activating agents such as SOCl₂, (COCl)₂, POCl₃, EDC, HOBt, HBTU, TBTU, DCC, CDI, T3P etc. and in the presence or absence of a base such as TEA, DIPEA, NaH, K₂CO₃, etc. (Montalbetti C A., Falque V. Tetrahedron 2005 (46) 10827-10852; Valeur E., Bradley M. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2009 (389) 606-31). Residue R³ can be present at coupling stage or introduced at a later stage by replacing Br or Cl by an alkyl group under Negishi conditions or via a Suzuki/Hydrogenation sequence known to a person skilled in the art. (Matsushita L H., Negishi E. J. Org. Chem. 1982 (47) 4161-4165; Kerins, F. et al. J. Org. Chem. 2002 (67) 4968-4971).

In compound of Formula (I), the couplings of Structure 1 with Structure 2 may be carried out with side chain L-R⁵═X already present or with a Structure 2 wherein N bears a protecting group ═X. Functionality R⁵ is then introduced, after deprotection, by the formation of an amine, amide, sulfonamide, carbamate, urea or sulfamide linker (L), for example, in a manner known to a person skilled in the art.

Compounds of Structure 1 may be commercially available or may be prepared by reducing a compound of Structure 3 in a solvent such as THF, MeOH, EtOH, iPrOH etc. in the presence of H₂/Pd/C or H₂/Pt+V/C or Fe etc. (Dolle V. et al. Tetrahedron 1997 (53) 12505-12524; Möbus K. et al. Top. Catal. 2010 (53), 1126-1131; WO2012/055995).

Compounds of Structure 2 may be prepared by reacting a compound of Structure 4 with 25% NaOH or concentrated H₂SO₄/AcOH or concentrated HCl at elevated temperature in a solvent such as water, EtOH etc (US20120232026; WO2005/049605; US20080319188). Compounds of Structure 2 may also be prepared by hydrolyzing a compound of Structure 5 with aqueous solution of NaOH, or LiOH etc. in a solvent such as water, MeOH, EtOH, THF etc.

Compounds of Structure 3 may be commercially available or may be prepared (where R¹ represents H, halogen, methyl, trifluoromethyl) by reacting compounds of Structure 6 with alcoholate such as NaOMe, NaOiPr in a solvent such as THF, DMF etc.

-   -   Structure 7 Structure 8 Structure 9 Structure 10 Structure 11

Compounds of Structure 4 and Structure 5 may be commercially available or may be prepared (for n and/or m>1) by reacting the appropriate 2-(2-halo-(hetero)aryl)acetonitrile (Structure 7) or methyl 2-(2-halo-(hetero)aryl)acetate (Structure 8), respectively, with N-benzyl-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amine or N-boc-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amine at 60° C. or more in a solvent such as THE and in the presence of a base such as NaOH, NaH etc. Compounds of Structure 4 and Structure 5 may also be prepared by reacting 2-(2-bromophenyl)acetonitrile with paraformaldehyde in a solvent such as DMF in the presence of a base such as K₂CO₃ followed by a TFA-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with commercially available N-(methoxymethyl)-N-(trimethylsilylmethyl)benzylamine in DCM (Lit: JP2008110971). For n=m=1, compounds of Structure 4 may be synthesized by reacting a compound of Structure 9, 10 or 11 with a 1,2-dihalo-(hetero)aryl, such as 1-bromo-2-fluorobenzene, in a solvent such as THE in the presence of a base such as KHMDS (WO2012/017359). Alternatively, the bromo substituent can be replaced by R³=alkyl in a following step under Negishi conditions or via a Suzuki—hydrogenation sequence known to a person skilled in the art. Structures 7 and 8 may be commercially available or may be prepared in a manner known to a person skilled in the art.

Depending on the nature of the functionalities present in residue L-R⁵ in Formula (I), these functionalities may require temporary protection. Appropriate protecting groups are known to a person skilled in the art and include e.g. a benzyl, an acetyl, or a trialkylsilyl group to protect an alcohol, a ketal to protect a diol, an ester to protect an acid etc. These protecting groups may be employed according to standard methodology.

Whenever the compounds of Formula (I) are obtained in the form of mixtures of stereoisomers such as especially enantiomers, the stereoisomers can be separated using methods known to one skilled in the art: e.g. by formation and separation of diastereomeric salts or by HPLC over a chiral stationary phase such as a Daicel ChiralPak AD-H (5 μm) column, a Daicel ChiralCel OD-H (5 μm) column, a Daicel ChiralCel OD (10 μm) column, a Daicel ChiralPak IA or IB or IC or ID or IE (5 μm) column, Daicel ChiralPak AS-H (5 μm) column or a (R,R)-Whelk-01 (5 μm) column. Typical conditions of chiral HPLC are an isocratic mixture of eluent A (EtOH, in presence or absence of a base like TEA and/or diethylamine or of an acid like TFA) and eluent B (heptane). In Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC) conditions, eluent A is CO₂ and eluent B is isopropanol.

Experimental Part

The following examples illustrate the invention but do not at all limit the scope thereof.

All temperatures are stated in ° C. Commercially available starting materials were used as received without further purification. Unless otherwise specified, all reactions were carried out under an atmosphere of nitrogen or argon. Compounds were purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (Biotage), by preparative TLC (TLC-plates from Merck, Silica gel 60 F₂₅₄) or by preparative HPLC. Compounds described in the invention are characterized by ¹H-NMR (400 MHz or 500 MHz Bruker; chemical shifts are given in ppm relative to the solvent used; multiplicities: s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet, q=quadruplet, quint=quintuplet, hex=hexet, hept=heptet, m=multiplet, br=broad, coupling constants are given in Hz) and/or by LC-MS (retention time t_(R) is given in min; molecular weight obtained for the mass spectrum is given in g/mol) using the conditions listed below.

LC-MS with Acidic Conditions

LCMS-1: Waters Acquity Binary, Solvent Manager, MS: Waters SQ Detector, DAD: Acquity UPLC PDA Detector, ELSD: Acquity UPLC ELSD. Columns: Acquity UPLC CSH C18 1.7 um 2.1×50 mm from Waters, thermostated in the Acquity UPLC Column Manager at 60° C. Eluents: A: H2O+0.05% formic acid; B: AcCN+0.045% FA. Method: Gradient: 2% B 98% B over 2.0 min. Flow: 1.0 mL/min. Detection: UV 214 nm and ELSD.

LCMS-2: Aligent 1100 series with mass spectrometry detection (MS: Finnigan single quadrupole). Column: Zorbax RRHD SB-Aq (1.8 um, 3.0×50 mm). Conditions: MeCN [eluent A]; water+0.04% TFA [eluent B]. Gradient: 95% B→5% B over 5 min (flow: 4.5 mL/min)

Preparative HPLC with Acidic Conditions

Prep-HPLC-1: Column: Waters Zorbax SB-Aq (5 um, 75×30 mm). Conditions: MeCN [eluent A]; water+0.5% formic acid [eluent B]. Gradient: 95% B→5% B over 5 min (flow: 75 mL/min). Detection: UV/Vis+MS

Preparative HPLC with Basic Conditions

Prep-HPLC-2: Column: Waters XBridge C18 (10 um, 75×30 mm). Conditions: MeCN [eluent A]; water+0.5% NH₄OH [eluent B]. Gradient: 90% B→5% B over 6.5 min (flow: 75 mL/min). Detection: UVNis+MS

Abbreviations (as Used Herein)

AcOH acetic acid aq. aqueous Boc tert-butoxycarbonyl BSA bovine serum albumin Bu butyl such as in tert.-Bu (=tertiary butyl) CDI carbonyl diimidazole Cs₂CO₃ cesium carbonate DBU 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene DCC dicyclohexyl carbodiimide DCM dichloromethane DIPEA diisopropyl-ethylamine, Hünig's base, ethyl-diisopropylamine DMA dimethylacetamide DMF dimethylformamide DMSO dimethylsulfoxide EDC N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethyl-carbodiimide Et ethyl (such as in OEt: ethoxy) EtOAc ethyl acetate EtOH ethanol Ex. example(s) h hour(s) HBTU O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate HCl hydrochloric acid HOBt 1-hydroxybenzotriazole HPLC high performance liquid chromatography H₂SO₄ sulfuric acid iPr isopropyl K₂CO₃ potassium carbonate LC-MS liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry LPA lysophosphatidic acid LPAR₁ lysophosphatidic receptor 1 Me methyl (such as in OMe: methoxy) MeCN acetonitrile MeOH methanol MgSO₄ magnesium sulfate NaH sodium hydride NaOtBu sodium tert-butoxide POCl₃ phosphoryl chloride Pd(OH)₂/C palladium hydroxide in charcoal prep. preparative r.t. room temperature sat. saturated TBME tert-butyl methyl ether TBTU 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,2,3,3-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate TEA triethylamine TFA trifluoroacetic acid THE tetrahydrofuran TLC thin layer chromatography T3P propylphosphonic anhydride t_(R) retention time

Preparation of Intermediates Intermediate 1.A: 6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-amine

A mixture of 2-chloro-4-methoxy-5-nitropyridine (440 mg, 2.33 mmol), ammonium chloride (624 mg, 11.7 mmol) and iron powder (526 mg, 11.7 mmol) in EtOH (12 mL) and water (1.2 mL) is heated at 80° C. for 2 days. The reaction mixture is cooled down, filtered through a Whatmann glass filter and evaporated. The residue is partitioned between EtOAc and an aq. sat. NaHCO₃ solution. The phases are separated. The aqueous phase is extracted with EtOAc and combined organic extracts are dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to give the title compound 1.A as a brownish solid (253 mg, 72%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 7.61 (s, 1H), 6.89 (s, 1H), 5.02 (s, 2H), 3.86 (s, 3H).

Intermediate 1.B: 6-chloro-4-isopropoxypyridin-3-amine

To a solution of 2-chloro-4-isopropoxy-5-nitropyridine (1 g, 4.62 mmol) in EtOAc (40 mL) are added platinum 1% and vanadium 2%, on activated carbon (50-70% wetted powder) (75 mg) and platinum 3% on activated carbon (25 mg). The reaction mixture is hydrogenated at rt for 5 days, then filtered though a Celite pad, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to give the title compound I-1.B as a yellow oil (0.87 g, quantitative yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 7.61 (s, 1H), 6.89 (s, 1H), 4.92 (s, 2H), 4.74 (hept, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 1.29 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 6H).

Intermediate 1.C: (S)-6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-amine

Step 1. To a solution of (S)-(+)-1-methoxy-2-propanol (162 ul, 1.63 mmol) in THE (5 mL) is added NaH (60 wt %, 93 mg, 2.33 mol). After 10 min, a solution of 2,4-dichloro-nitropyridine (300 m g, 1.55 mmol) is added to the suspension and the mixture is stirred at rt for 3 h. Volatiles are evaporated and the residue is taken up in EtOAc (50 mL), washed with NaHCO₃ (25 mL), followed with brine (25 mL), is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude compound is purified by prep. HLPC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give (S)-2-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)-5-nitropyridine as a brown solid (198 mg, 52% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 8.86 (s, 1H), 7.73 (s, 1H), 5.14 (td, J₁=3.6 Hz, J₂=6.3 Hz, 1H), 3.58-3.47 (m, 2H), 3.28 (s, 3H), 1.28 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 3H).

Step 2. (S)-2-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)-5-nitropyridine (198 mg, 0.80 mmol) is reduced in analogy to intermediate I-1.A to afford (S)-6-chloro-4((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridine-3-amine I-1.C as a pale brown oil (160 mg, 92%). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.94 (s, 1H), 6.84 (s, 1H), 4.71-4.62 (m, 1H), 3.62 (dd, J₁=6.4 Hz, J₂=10.5 Hz, 1H), 3.56 (dd, J₁=3.8 Hz, J₂=10.5 Hz, 1H), 3.41 (s, 3H), 1.40 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 3H).

Intermediate 1.D: 6-chloro-4-(2-methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3-amine

6-Chloro-4-(2-methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3-amine I-1.D is prepared in analogy to intermediate I-1.C. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.80 (s, 1H), 6.74 (s, 1H), 4.24-4.19 (m, 2H), 3.83-3.77 (m, 2H), 3.41 (s, 3H).

Intermediate 1.E: 6-chloro-4-cyclopropoxypyridin-3-amine

6-Chloro-4-cyclopropoxypyridin-3-amine I-1.E is prepared in analogy to intermediate I-1.C. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.02 (s, 1H), 3.85-3.65 (m, 3H), 0.90-0.75 (m, 4H).

Intermediate 1.F: 4-methoxy-6-methylpyridin-3-amine

To a solution of 6-chloro-4-methoxy-6-methyl-3-nitropyridine (190 mg, 0.92 mmol) in MeOH/THF 1:1 (20 mL) is added 10% palladium on carbon-50% wet (30 mg). The reaction mixture is hydrogenated at r.t. for 1 h, degassed with argon, then filtered though a Celite pad, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude material is crystallized in MeCN to give the title compound I-1.F as an off-white solid (121 mg, 95% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 7.76 (s, 1H), 7.30 (s, 1H), 5.82 (s, 2H), 4.03 (s, 3H).

Intermediate 2: 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-bromophenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid

Step 1. To a solution of commercially available 1-bromo-2-fluorobenzene (5 g, 28.6 mmol) in THE (60 mL) is added 1-benzhydrylazetidine-3-carbonitrile (10.6 g, 42.9 mmol) and KHMDS 95% (10.3 mL, 42.9 mmol). The reaction mixture is left stirring at r.t. overnight. The reaction mixture is then concentrated to an oil under vacuum, diluted with EtOAc (100 mL) and washed with water (2×50 mL). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated under vacuum. The crude material is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-1 conditions) to afford 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-bromophenyl)azetidine-3-carbonitrile as a beige solid (7.64 g, 66% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 7.70 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.47-7.42 (m, 6H), 7.36-7.31 (m, 5H), 7.25-7.21 (m, 2H), 4.56 (s, 1H), 3.98 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.49-3.42 (m, 2H).

Step 2. To a solution of 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-bromophenyl)azetidine-3-carbonitrile (7.2 g, 17.9 mmol) in ethanol (80 mL) is added NaOH 25% (40 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred at 80° C. for 3-4 days (reaction monitored by LCMS) and is then cooled down to 0° C. and acidified by aq. 2M HCl. The mixture is extracted with EtOAc (2×200 mL), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude material is purified by column chromatography (eluent: DCM/MeOH 9:1) to give 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-bromophenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid I-2 as yellow foam (6.37 g, 84% yield). LCMS-2: t_(R)=0.83 min, [M+1]⁺ 423.99; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 7.54 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.43-7.41 (m, 4H), 7.37 (d, J=4.2 Hz, 2H), 7.29 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 4H), 7.21-7.17 (m, 3H), 4.47 (s, 1H), 3.88 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.36 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H).

Intermediate 3: 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-bromophenyl)azetidine-3-carbonyl chloride

1-Benzhydryl-3-(2-bromophenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid I-3 (538 mg, 1.38 mmol) is dissolved in DCM (10 mL). Three drops of DMF are added followed by thionyl chloride (0.5 mL, 6.9 mmol) and the reaction is stirred at 50° C. for 1 h (monitored by LCMS). The reaction mixture is then evaporated to give crude 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-bromophenyl)azetidine-3-carbonyl chloride I-3 as a wax (620 mg) that is used a such.

Intermediate 4:1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid

Step 1. A mixture of commercially available 2-bromophenylacetonitrile (10 g, 51 mmol) and tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate (1.77 g, 5.1 mmol) in 60 mL of THE and 90 mL of 50% aqueous NaOH solution is heated at reflux for 10 min. Thereafter N-benzyl-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride (15 g, 56.1 mmol) are added at r.t. and the mixture is refluxed overnight. Cooling to r.t. is followed by dilution with water (120 mL) and extraction with EtOAc (2×200 mL). The combined organic extracts are washed with brine (100 mL), dried with MgSO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude compound is crystallized in acetonitrile to give 1-benzyl-4-(2-bromophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonitrile (12.6 g, 69% yield) as white crystalline solid. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 7.75 (dd, J₁=1.3 Hz, J₂=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (dd, J₁=1.6 Hz, J₂=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (td, J₁=1.3 Hz, J₂=7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.35-7.32 (m, 5H), 7.30-7.25 (m, 1H), 3.58 (s, 2H), 3.01-2.98 (m, 1H), 2.98-2.95 (m, 1H), 2.54-2.52 (m, 2H), 2.43-2.39 (m, 2H), 2.00 (td, J₁=3.4 Hz, J₂=12.8 Hz, 2H).

Step 2. A mixture of 1-benzyl-4-(2-bromophenyl)piperidine-4-carbonitrile (29.4 g, 82.9 mmol), acetic acid (75 mL) and concentrated sulfuric acid (75 mL) in water (75 mL) is stirred at reflux for 4 days (reaction monitored by LCMS). The reaction mixture is then diluted with water (50 mL) and 25% aqueous solution HCl (50 mL) and is stirred for 15 min. TBME (100 mL) is added. The mixture is stirred for another 15 min and is stored at 4° C. overnight. The white precipitate is filtered, rinsed with TBME and dried in vacuo to give 1-benzyl-4-(2-bromophenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid (22.1 g, 71% yield) as a white powder. LCMS-2: t_(R)=0.72 min, [M+1]+374.17 and 376.18.

Step 3. 1-Benzyl-4-(2-bromophenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid (10 g, 26.7 mmol) and isopropenyl boronic acid pinacolester (15.1 mL, 80.2 mmol) are dissolved in dioxane (120 mL) and water (60 mL). Tripotassium phosphate (29.9 g, 134 mmol) is then added followed by palladium acetate (300 mg, 1.34 mmol) and di(1-adamantyl)-n-butylphosphine (969 mg, 2.67 mmol). The degassed reaction mixture is heated at 100° C. overnight (reaction monitored by LCMS). The reaction is diluted with EtOAc (200 mL) and extracted with 2N HCl (20 mL). The acidic aqueous phase is extracted with EtOAc (3×150 mL). All organic phases are combined (650 mL), washed with brine (20 mL), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to give the crude compound that is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give 1-benzyl-4-(2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid as a beige solid (8.4 g, 93% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 12.70 (s, 1H), 7.44 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.33-7.18 (m, 7H), 7.01 (dd, J₁=1.2 Hz, J₂=7.3 Hz, 1H), 5.10 (s, 1H), 4.71 (s, 1H), 2.43-2.38 (m, 4H), 2.34-2.31 (m, 2H), 2.13-2.11 (m, 2H), 2.01 (s, 3H).

Step 4. A degassed mixture of 1-benzyl-4-(2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid (8.4 g, 24.8 mmol) and Pd/C 10%-50% water (2 g) in MeOH/THF 1:1 (200 mL) is hydrogenated at r.t. for 4 days (reaction monitored by LC-MS). The mixture is degassed with argon, filtered on Celite pad, rinsed with THF, dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to give 4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid (5.6 g, 92% yield) as a white solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 9.06 (s br, 1H), 7.38 (dd, J₁=1.4 Hz, J₂=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.31-7.27 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.16 (m, 1H), 3.44 (s br, 1H), 3.27-3.12 (m, 5H), 2.38 (m, 2H), 2.20-2.12 (m, 2H), 1.14 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H).

Step 5. A mixture of 4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid (5.65 g, 23.2 mmol), DIPEA (13.6 mL, 79.7 mmol) and Boc₂O (4.8 g, 21.9 mmol) is stirred at r.t. for 24 h. Water is then added followed by 1N HCl in order to adjust the pH to 1. The reaction mixture is extracted four times with DCM (4×200 mL). The combined extracts are dried over MgSO₄, dried, filtered and evaporated to give 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid I-4 (9 g, quantitative yield) as a yellow oil. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 12.73 (s, 1H), 7.36-7.31 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.23 (m, 1H), 7.18-7.14 (m, 1H), 3.75-3.65 (m, 2H), 3.32-3.25 (m, 3H), 2.28-2.20 (m, 2H), 1.89-1.77 (m, 2H), 1.41 (s, 9H), 1.14 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H).

Alternatively, I-4 can be prepared from commercial available 4-(2-bromophenyl)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid

Step 1. 1-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-4-(2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid is prepared from commercial available 4-(2-bromophenyl)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid following the methodology described for I-4 in step 3 (59% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 7.44 (dd, J₁=1.5 Hz, J₂=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.30-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.05 (dd, J₁=1.8 Hz, J₂=7.2 Hz, 1H), 5.14 (t, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 4.75 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 3.54-3.48 (m, 2H), 3.32-3.15 (m, 2H), 2.27-2.23 (m, 2H), 2.06-2.00 (m, 5H).

Step 2. A degassed mixture of 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-(2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)phenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid (986 mg, 2.85 mmol) and Pd/C 10%-50% water (100 mg) in MeOH/THF 1:1 (60 mL) is hydrogenated at r.t. for 1 h (reaction monitored by LC-MS). The mixture is degassed with argon, filtered on Celite pad, rinsed with THF, dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to give 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid I-4 as a white foam (923 mg, 93% yield).

Intermediate 5: 1-benzyl-3-(2-bromophenyl)pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid

Step 1. Paraformaldehyde (2.17 ml, 14.8 mmol) and K₂CO₃ (1.37 g, 9.9 mmol) are added to a solution of commercially available 2-bromophenylacetonitrile (1.32 mL, 9.9 mmol) in DMF (60 mL). The reaction is stirred at 80° C. for 1 night. After cooling to r.t., water (100 mL) is added and the aqueous layer is extracted with EtOAc (150 mL, 50 mL). The combined organic extracts are washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude compound is purified by prep. HLPC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give 2-(2-bromophenyl)acrylonitrile (561 mg, 27% yield) as an orange oil. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 7.77-7.74 (m, 1H), 7.53-7.48 (m, 2H), 7.42 (ddd, J₁=2.9 Hz, J₂=6.3 Hz, J₃=8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.61 (s, 1H), 6.36 (s, 1H).

Step 2. 2-(2-Bromophenyl)acrylonitrile (461 mg, 2.22 mmol) and N-(methoxymethyl)-N-(trimethylsilylmethyl)benzylamine (1.18 mL, 4.43 mmol) are dissolved in DCM (10 mL). To this solution TFA (208 uL, 2.66 mmol) is added under ice-cooling. After returning to rt, the reaction is stirred for overnight. The reaction mixture is then poured into water (25 mL) and extracted with DCM (2×50 mL). The combined organic extracts are washed with NaHCO₃, followed with brine, is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude compound is purified by prep. HLPC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give 1-benzyl-3-(2-bromophenyl)pyrrolidine-3-carbonitrile (495 mg, 65% yield) as a yellow oil. LCMS-2: t_(R)=0.74 min, [M+1]⁺ 341.22 and 343.20.

Step 3. 1-Benzyl-3-(2-bromophenyl)pyrrolidine-3-carbonitrile (495 mg, 1.45 mmol) is subjected to the hydrolysis conditions described for I-4 to give 1-benzyl-3-(2-bromophenyl)pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid I-5 as a beige solid (293 mg, 56% yield). LCMS-2: t_(R)=0.64 min, [M+1]⁺ 360.16 and 362.16.

Intermediate 6: 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid

Step 1. To a solution of I-2 (5.0 g, 11.8 mmol) in MeOH (30 mL) is added conc. sulfuric acid (10 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred at 75° C. for 24 h and is then evaporated. The residue is dissolved in EtOAc (100 mL) and washed with sat. NaHCO₃. The phases are separated and the organic phase is washed with brine (50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude compound is purified by chromatography (CombiFlash Hept/EtOAc 9:1) to methyl 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-bromophenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylate as yellow oil (4.12 g, 80% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.54 (dd, J₁=1.1 Hz, J₂=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.49-7.41 (m, 4H), 7.38-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.32-7.26 (m, 5H), 7.24-7.19 (m, 2H), 7.17 (td, J₁=1.9 Hz, J₂=7.9 Hz, 1H), 4.43 (s, 1H), 4.08 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.51 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 2H).

Step 2. To a solution of methyl 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-bromophenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylate (4.12 g, 9.44 mmol) in dioxane (50 mL) is added isopropenyl boronic acid pinacolester (2.5 g, 14.2 mmol) followed by K₂CO₃ (6.5 g) and water (25 mL). Pd(PPh₃)₄ (327 mg, 0.28 mmol) is then added and the reaction mixture is stirred at 80° C. for 15 h. Water is added at r.t. and the reaction mixture is extracted with EtOAc. The organic extract is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. Crude product is purified by chromatography (Combiflash, Hept/EtOAc 9:1) to give methyl 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)phenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylate as a yellow oil (3.64 g, 97% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 7.40-7.38 (m, 4H), 7.30-7.23 (m, 7H), 7.21-7.17 (m, 2H), 7.12-7.10 (m, 1H), 5.06 (s, 1H), 4.59 (s, 1H), 4.42 (s, 1H), 3.82 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 3.66 (s, 3H), 3.21 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 1.92 (s, 3H).

Step 3. To a solution of methyl 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)phenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylate (3.64 g, 9.16 mmol) in MeOH/THF 1:1 (20 mL) is added aq. 2M LiOH (10 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred at 50° C. for 2 days, then cooled to 5° C. and acidified to pH 4 with 2M HCl. The reaction mixture is extracted with EtOAc. The organic extract is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to give 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)phenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid as a beige solid (3.35 g, 95% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 7.39 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 4H), 7.28 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 4H), 7.23-7.17 (m, 5H), 7.11-7.09 (m, 1H), 5.06 (s, 1H), 4.71 (s, 1H), 4.39 (s, 1H), 3.82 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 3.14 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.95 (s, 3H).

Step 4. A mixture of 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-(prop-1-en-2-yl)phenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid (3.35 g, 8.74 mmol), 25% HCl solution (18 mL) and Pd(OH)₂/C 20% (1.6 g) in MeOH (100 mL) is degassed and is then hydrogenated at 1 bar for 18 h (reaction monitored by LCMS). The reaction mixture is then degassed with argon and is filtered on Celite pad which is rinsed with MeOH. Volatiles are evaporated and the residue is crystallized in MeCN to give hydrochloride of 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid as a white solid (1.17 g, 61% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 13.55 (s br, 1H), 9.40 (s br, 1H), 9.15 (s br, 1H), 7.39 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 4.57-4.54 (m, 2H), 4.39-4.35 (m, 2H), 1.13 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H).

Step 5. To a suspension of 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid hydrochloride (1.17 g, 4.57 mmol) in DCM (25 mL) is added DIPEA (5.9 mL, 34.4 mmol) followed by Boc₂O (1.1 g, 5.02 mmol). The mixture stirred at room temperature for 24 h. 1N HCl is added at 5° C. in order to adjust the pH to 1, and the reaction mixture is extracted with DCM (4 times). The combined organic extracts are dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The residue is purified by chromatography (CombiFlash Hept/EtOAc 1.5:1) to give 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid I-6 as a white solid (0.85 g, 58% yield). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.36-7.31 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.21 (m, 1H), 7.18 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 1H), 4.64 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 4.37 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 2.61-2.51 (m, 1H), 1.46 (s, 9H), 1.19 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H).

Intermediate 7: 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(2-fluoro-6-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid

Intermediate I-7 is prepared from 1-bromo-2,3-difluoro-benzene according to the method described for intermediate I-6. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.24 (dd, J₁=13.8 Hz, J₂=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.86 (dd, J₁=11.3 Hz, J₂=8.3 Hz, 1H), 4.58 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 4.32 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 2.64-2.54 (m, 1H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.19 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H).

Intermediate 8: 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(5-fluoro-2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid

Intermediate I-8 is prepared from 1-bromo-2,4-difluoro-benzene according to the method described for intermediate I-6. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 10.30 (s br, 1H), 7.30-7.24 (m, 1H), 7.02 (td, J₁=2.5 Hz, J₂=8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.87 (dd, J₁=2.6 Hz, J₂=10.1 Hz, 1H), 4.62 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 4.31 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 2.61-2.51 (m, 1H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.15 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H).

Intermediate 9: 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(2-cyclopentylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid

1-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-3-(2-cyclopentylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid I-9 is prepared in analogy to I-6 starting from 1-benzhydryl-3-(2-bromophenyl)azetidine-3-carbonitrile and cyclopenten-1-ylboronic acid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 13.15-12.90 (s br, 1H), 7.33 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.30-7.24 (m, 1H), 7.22 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.20-7.14 (m, 1H), 4.42 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 4.21 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 2.63-2.53 (m, 1H), 1.98-1.89 (m, 2H), 1.83-1.74 (m, 2H), 1.65-1.59 (m, 2H), 1.52-1.45 (m, 2H), 1.39 (s, 9H).

Intermediate 10: 3-(3-bromopyridin-2-yl)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid

3-(3-Bromopyridin-2-yl)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid I-10 is prepared in analogy to the procedure described for I-6 starting from 1-Boc-3-cyanoazetidine and 3-bromo-2-fluoropyridine. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 8.45 (dd, J₁=1.4 Hz, J₂=4.7 Hz, 1H), 7.91 (dd, J₁=1.4 Hz, J₂=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.14 (dd, J₁=4.7 Hz, J₂=7.9 Hz, 1H), 4.31-4.16 (m, 4H), 1.37 (s, 9H).

Intermediate 11: 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(6-fluoro-3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid

1-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-3-(6-fluoro-3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid I-11 is prepared in analogy to I-6 starting from ethyl 1-Boc-azetidine-3-carboxylate and 3-bromo-2,6-difluoropyridine. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 8.02 (t, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (dd, J₁=2.5 Hz, J₂=8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.42-4.27 (m, 4H), 2.48-2.42 (m, 1H), 1.39 (s, 9H), 1.14 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H).

Intermediate 12: 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(3-chloropyridin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid

1-(Tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(3-chloropyridin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid I-12 is prepared in analogy to the procedure described for I-6 starting from 1-Boc-3-cyanoazetidine and 3-chloro-4-cyanopyridine. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 8.42 (s, 1H), 8.38 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (d, J=4.9 Hz, 1H), 4.44-4.19 (m, 4H), 1.37 (s, 9H).

Intermediate 13: 1-benzyl-4-(2-bromopyridin-3-yl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid

1-Benzyl-4-(2-bromopyridin-3-yl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid I-13 is prepared according to the procedure described for intermediate I-4. LCMS-2: t_(R)=0.55 min, [M+1]⁺ 374.99 and 377.06.

Intermediate 14: 1-benzyl-4-(4-chloropyridin-3-yl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid

1-Benzyl-4-(4-chloropyridin-3-yl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid I-14 is prepared according to the procedure described for intermediate I-4. LCMS-2: t_(R)=0.49 min, [M+1]⁺ 331.11.

Intermediate 15: 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(3-chloropyrazin-2-yl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid

1-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-3-(3-chloropyrazin-2-yl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid I-15 is prepared in analogy to procedure described for I-6 starting from 1-Boc-3-cyanoazetidine and 2,3-dichloropyrazine. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 8.70 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 8.52 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 4.49 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 4.41-4.25 (m, 2H), 1.37 (s, 9H).

Intermediate 16: 4-(5-bromopyrimidin-4-yl)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid

4-(5-Bromopyrimidin-4-yl)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid I-16 can be prepared in analogy to the procedure described in WO2009051715 starting from tert-butyl bis(2-chloroethyl)carbamate and 2-(5-chloropyrimidin-4-yl)acetonitrile.

Intermediate 17: 4-(4-bromopyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid

4-(4-Bromopyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid I-17 can be prepared in analogy to the procedure described in WO2009051715 starting from tert-butyl bis(2-chloroethyl)carbamate and 2-(4-bromopyrimidin-5-yl)acetonitrile. 2-(4-Bromopyrimidin-5-yl)acetonitrile can be synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of sodium cyanide on 4-bromo-5-(bromomethyl)pyrimidine.

EXAMPLES Example 1: N-(6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

Step 1. To a solution of 1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid I-6 (110 mg, 0.34 mmol) and DMF (0.3 mL) in pyridine (3 mL) is added POCl₃ (47 uL, 0.52 mmol) drop wise over 35 min (complete conversion into its acyl chloride is monitored by LCMS with MeOH quench). Next, a solution of 6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridine-3-amine (50.5 mg, 0.34 mmol) in pyridine (1 mL) is added to the reaction mixture. After a few hours, the mixture is quenched with water, followed by NaHCO₃. The aqueous solution is then extracted with EtOAc twice. The combined organic extracts are dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude product is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give tert-butyl 3-((6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxylate (77 mg, 50% yield) as a pale yellow oil. LCMS-1: t_(R)=1.28 min, [M+1]⁺ 444.20.

Step 2. To a solution of tert-butyl 3-((6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxylate (76 mg, 0.17 mmol) in dioxane (2 mL) is added HCl 4N in dioxane (0.5 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred at r.t. overnight. Volatiles are evaporated to give the hydrochloride of the title compound Ex 1 as a white solid (70 mg, quantitative yield). LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.58 min, [M+1]⁺ 344.28. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 8.58 (s, 1H), 8.21 (s, 1H), 7.49-7.40 (m, 3H), 7.34 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (s, 1H), 4.66 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 2H), 4.40 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 2H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 2.50-2.40 (m, 1H), 1.12 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 6H).

TABLE 1 Examples 2 to 17 Examples 2 to 17 are prepared in analogy to the methodology described for Ex 1 using commercially available or synthesized pyridin-3-amine and intermediate I-4, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, I-10, or I-11. In case I-10 is used, the Suzuki/Hydrogenation (PtO₂/H₂) sequence is performed to introduce the iPr unit after the amide coupling. Analytics Example Name LCMS-1 Ex 2 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)azetidine-3- [M + 1]⁺ 326.21 carboxamide t_(R) 0.35 Ex 3 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3- [M + 1]⁺ 360.24 carboxamide t_(R) 0.62 Ex 4 N-(6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3- [M + 1]⁺ 404.22 carboxamide and 406.22 t_(R) 0.64 Ex 5 N-(6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3- [M + 1]⁺ 374.27 carboxamide t_(R) 0.69 Ex 6 N-(6-chloro-4-isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3- [M + 1]⁺ 388.32 carboxamide t_(R) 0.73 Ex 7 N-(6-chloro-4-cyclopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine- [M + 1]⁺ 386.30 3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.71 Ex 8 N-(6-chloro-4-(2-methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 404.31 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.64 Ex 9 (S)-N-(6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 418.32 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.69 Ex 10 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4- [M + 1]⁺ 388.28 carboxamide t_(R) 0.66 Ex 11 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)azetidine-3- [M + 1]⁺ 340.29 carboxamide t_(R) 0.35 Ex 12 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3- [M + 1]⁺ 394.30 yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.69 Ex 13 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-fluoro-6- [M + 1]⁺ 378.22 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.62 Ex 14 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(5-fluoro-2- [M + 1]⁺ 378.22 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.62 Ex 15 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)azetidine- [M + 1]⁺ 361.25 3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.55 Ex 16 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(6-fluoro-3-isopropylpyridin-2- [M + 1]⁺ 379.23 yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.57 Ex 17 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-cyclopentylphenyl)azetidine-3- [M + 1]⁺ 386.28 carboxamide t_(R) 0.71

Example 18-1: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-isopropyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

To a solution of Ex 3 (50 mg, 0.14 mmol) and 2-iodopropane (15.6 uL, 0.15 mmol) in dry MeOH (2 mL), is added Cs₂CO₃ (90 mg. 0.28 mmol). The reaction is stirred at r.t. for 18 h. The mixture is then evaporated and purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 18-1 as a white powder (17 mg, 30% yield). LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.68 min [M+1]⁺ 402.30.

TABLE 2 Example 18-2 to 18-7: Examples 18-2 to 18-7 are synthesized by nucleophilic substitution using the methodology described for example Ex 18-1 starting from Ex 3 and various haloalkanes. Functional groups, such as acid, amine or alcohol, may be protected with an appropriate protecting group. For example benzylesters are saponified by 2N LiOH after the N-alkylation step. Analytics Example Name LCMS-1 Ex 18-2 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-isobutyl-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 416.33 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.74 Ex 18-3 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 404.29 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.62 Ex 18-4 1-(2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 456.32 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.67 Ex 18-5 1-(3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)propyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 470.33 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.65 Ex 18-6 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 418.30 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)acetic acid t_(R) 0.74 Ex 18-7 1-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 403-02 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.88

Example 18-8: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-cyclobutyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

A solution of Ex 3 (50 mg, 0.14 mmol) and cyclobutanone (29.5 mg, 0.42 mmol) in dry MeOH (2 mL) is stirred under inert atmosphere for 2 h. Cyanoborohydride (43 mg, 0.70 mmol) is then added. The reaction mixture is stirred at 50° C. for 2 h (reaction monitored by LCMS) and is then quenched with water (2 mL). The mixture is diluted with MeCN (2 mL) and is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 18-8 as a white solid (14 mg, 24% yield). LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.70 min, [M+1]⁺ 414.32.

TABLE 3 Examples 18-9 to 18-27: Examples 18-9 to 18-27 are synthesized from Ex 3, Ex 4, Ex 5, Ex 6 or Ex 10 by reductive amination as described for Ex 18-8. Functional groups, such as acid or alcohol, may be protected with an appropriate protecting group. For example, esters are saponified by 2N LiOH after the reductive amination step. Analytics Example Name LCMS-1 Ex 18-9 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(oxetan-3- [M + 1]⁺ 416.29 yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.70 Ex 18-10 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-((1-fluorocyclopropyl)methyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 432.32 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.73 Ex 18-11 (R)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-((2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4- [M + 1]⁺ 474.34 yl)methyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.75 Ex 18-12 (R)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 434.32 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.61 Ex 18-13 1-((1H-pyrazol-3-yl)methyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 440.32 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.65 Ex 18-14 1-((1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 440.31 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.64 Ex 18-15 1-((1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3- [M + 1]⁺ 441.31 (2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.63 Ex 18-16 methyl 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 488.31 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoate t_(R) 0.77 Ex 18-17 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 474.34 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic acid t_(R) 0.71 Ex 18-18 methyl 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 502.37 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoate t_(R) 0.83 Ex 18-19 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 488.34 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic acid t_(R) 0.77 Ex 18-20 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 502.34 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic acid t_(R) 0.82 Ex 18-21 methyl 4-(4-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-4-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 516.38 isopropylphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoate t_(R) 0.79 Ex 18-22 4-(4-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-4-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 502.36 isopropylphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic acid t_(R) 0.74 Ex 18-23 4-(3-((6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 518.28 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic acid and 520.28 t_(R) 0.73 Ex 18-24 ethyl 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 516.36 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoate t_(R) 0.85 Ex 18-25 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 488.36 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoic acid t_(R) 0.73 Ex-18-26 ethyl 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 530.42 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoate t_(R) 0.89 Ex 18-27 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 502.36 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoic acid t_(R) 0.79

Ex 18-28: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-(sulfamoylamino)ethyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

To a solution of 1-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide Ex 18-7 (25 mg, 0.05 mmol) in dioxane (1 mL) is added TEA (22 uL, 0.16 mmol) followed by sulfamide (10 mg, 0.10 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred at 100° C. for two days. The volatiles are evaporated and the residue is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-1 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 18-28 as a pale yellow oil (10 mg, 39% yield). LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.63 min, [M+1]⁺ 482.30.

Example 19-1: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-hydroxypropanoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

To a solution of N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide Ex 3 (30 mg, 0.08 mmol) and 3-hydroxypropionic acid (37.5 mg, 0.12 mmol) in DMF (2 mL), EDC (21 mg, 0.11 mmol), HOBt (17 mg, 0.11 mmol) and DIPEA (43 uL, 0.25 mmol) are added. The mixture is stirred at r.t. for 18 h before it is diluted with sat. aq. NaHCO₃ and extracted twice with EtOAc. The combined org. extracts are dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 19-1 (7 mg, 19% yield) as a white solid; LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.92 min, [M+1]⁺ 432.29. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 9.23 (s, 1H), 7.51-7.42 (m, 2H), 7.41-7.35 (m, 1H), 7.34 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (s, 1H), 6.73 (s, 1H), 5.10-4.98 (m, 1H), 7.73-4.63 (m, 1H), 4.62-4.52 (m, 1H), 4.49-4.37 (m, 1H), 4.00-−3.93 (m, 1H), 3.91-3.84 (m, 1H), 3.68 (s, 3H), 2.55-2.43 (m, 1H), 2.42-2.34 (m, 2H), 1.19 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.12 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 3H).

TABLE 4 Examples 19-2 to 19-23: Examples 19-2 to 19-23 are synthesized from Ex 1, Ex 3, Ex 4, Ex 5 or Ex 10 by amide coupling with an acylchloride or a carboxylic acid in the presence of EDC/HOBt, or T3P and an organic base (DIPEA, pyridine for ex.), as exemplified for Ex 19-1. Functional groups, such as acid or alcohol, may be protected with an appropriate protecting group. For example esters are saponified by 2N LiOH after the reductive amination step. Analytics Example Name LCMS-1 Ex 19-2 1-acetyl-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine- [M + 1]⁺ 402.27 3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.99 Ex 19-3 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-formyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine- [M + 1]⁺ 388.26 3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.99 Ex 19-4 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(oxetane-3- [M + 1]⁺ 444.30 carbonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.98 Ex 19-5 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-hydroxyisoxazole-5-carbonyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 471.28 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.04 Ex 19-6 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-hydroxy-1,2,4-oxadiazole-3- [M + 1]⁺ 472.26 carbonyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.09 Ex 19-7 1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)acetyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 469.28 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.03 Ex 19-8 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-(4-methyl- [M + 1]⁺ 483.32 1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.99 Ex 19-9 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-(4-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-1,2,3- [M + 1]⁺ 499.30 triazol-1-yl)acetyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.91 Ex 19-10 1-(2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)acetyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 470.31 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.99 Ex 19-11 1-(2-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 469.28 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.96 Ex 19-12 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-(3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetyl)- [M + 1]⁺ 484.29 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.90 Ex 19-13 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-(3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)acetyl)- [M + 1]⁺ 484.31 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.88 Ex 19-14 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 496.29 (sulfamoylglycyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.93 Ex 19-15 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 495.25 ((methylsulfonyl)glycyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.97 Ex 19-16 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 480.26 (methylsulfonyl)acetyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.98 Ex 19-17 methyl 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 502.33 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoate t_(R) 1.17 Ex 19-18 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 488.34 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic acid t_(R) 1.07 Ex 19-19 4-(3-((6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 532.26 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic acid and 534.26 t_(R) 1.09 Ex 19-20 4-(4-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-4-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 498.33 isopropylphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic acid t_(R) 1.12 Ex 19-21 methyl 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 516.36 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoate t_(R) 1.25 Ex 19-22 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 502.30 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic acid t_(R) 1.15 Ex 19-23 4-(3-((6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 472.40 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic acid t_(R) 1.01

Example 20-1: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(methylsulfonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

Methanesulfonyl chloride (22 uL, 0.28 mmol) is added to a solution of Ex 3 (50 mg, 0.14 mmol) and DIPEA (96 uL, 0.56 mmol) in DCM (2 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred at r.t. for 18 h and is then diluted with DCM (50 mL) and washed with sat. NaHCO₃ followed by brine. The organic phase is stirred over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The residue is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 20-1 as a white powder (41 mg, 67% yield) LCMS-1: t_(R)=1.09 min, [M+1]⁺ 438.26.

TABLE 5 Examples 20-2 to 20-5: Examples 20-2 to 20-5 are synthesized in analogy to Ex 20-1 from Ex 3 and various sulfonylchloride. Analytics Example Name LCMS-1 Ex 20-2 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-((2- [M + 1]⁺ 482.26 methoxyethyl)sulfonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.13 Ex 20-3 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-((2-hydroxyethyl)sulfonyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 468.23 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.01 Ex 20-4 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-((2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)sulfonyl)-3- [M + 1]⁺ 495.30 (2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.72 Ex 20-5 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(oxetan-3- [M + 1]⁺ 480.27 ylsulfonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.10

Example 21-1: N-(6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide

To a solution of Ex 1 (35 mg, 0.09 mmol) and TEA (39 uL, 0.28 mmol) in dioxane (1 mL) is added sulfamide (18 mg, 0.18 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred at 100° C. for 18 h and is then evaporated. The crude compound is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-1 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 21-1 as a white solid (15 mg, 39% yield). LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.94 min, [M+1]⁺ 423.29. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO D6) δ: 8.69 (s, 1H), 8.15 (s, 1H), 7.42-7.32 (m, 3H), 7.29-7.24 (m, 1H), 7.05 (s, 2H), 6.89 (s, 1H), 4.41 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 4.14 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 2.75-2.64 (m, 1H), 1.11 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H).

TABLE 6 Examples 21-2 to 21-19 Examples 21-2 to 21-19 are synthesized according to the methodology described for Ex 21-1 starting from Ex 2 to Ex 17. Analytics Example Name LCMS-1 Ex 21-2 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 439.29 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.00 Ex 21-3 N-(6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 453.26 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.08 Ex 21-4 N-(6-chloro-4-isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 467.28 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.13 Ex 21-5 N-(6-chloro-4-cyclopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 465.27 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.10 Ex 21-6 N-(6-chloro-4-(2-methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 483.29 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.01 Ex 21-7 (S)-N-(6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 497.31 isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.07 Ex 21-8 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 467.30 sulfamoylpiperidine-4-carboxamide t_(R) 1.06 Ex 21-9 N-(6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 483.18 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide and 485.18 t_(R) 1.03 Ex 21-10 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 419.31 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.57 Ex 21-11 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 473.29 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.08 Ex 21-12 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(N- [M + 1]⁺ 453.26 methylsulfamoyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.08 Ex 21-13 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(N-cyclopropylsulfamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 479.26 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.15 Ex 21-14 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-fluoro-6-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 457.25 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.02 Ex 21-15 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(5-fluoro-2-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 457.23 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.01 Ex 21-16 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 440.25 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.91 Ex 21-17 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(6-fluoro-3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 458.22 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.95 Ex 21-18 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3- [M + 1]⁺ 405.28 carboxamide t_(R) 0.57 Ex 21-19 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-cyclopentylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 465.23 sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.09

Example 21-20: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(N-(2-methoxyethyl)sulfamoyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

Step 1. To a solution of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (42 uL, 0.48 mmol) in DCM (1 mL) cooled down to 0° C. a solution of 2-bromoethanol (34 uL, 0.48 mmol) in DCM (1 mL) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 h at 0° C., then a solution of 2-methoxyethylamine (0.48 mmol, 0.42 mmol) in DCM (1 mL) is added followed by TEA (200 uL, 1.43 mmol). The reaction is stirred at r.t. for 2 h then at 35° C. for 14 h. The reaction mixture is evaporated to give crude N-(2-methoxyethyl)-2-oxooxazolidine-3-sulfonamide that is used as such in the next step.

Step 2. To a solution of N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide Ex 3 (49 mg, 0.14 mmol) and TEA (2 mL) in DMF (2.5 mL) is added N-(2-methoxyethyl)-2-oxooxazolidine-3-sulfonamide (86 mg, 0.41 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred at 95° C. for 18 h and is then evaporated. The residue is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) yielding Ex 21-20 as a yellow oil (15 mg, 22% yield over 2 steps). LCMS-1: t_(R)=1.10 min, [M+1]⁺ 497.26. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD) δ: 8.83 (s, 1H), 7.47-7.41 (m, 3H), 7.39-7.34 (m, 1H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 4.52 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 4.34 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.49 (t, J=5.5 Hz, 2H), 3.31 (s, 3H), 3.27 (t, J=5.5 Hz, 2H), 2.57 (hept, J=6.8 Hz, 1H), 1.16 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H).

Example 21-21: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

Step 1. A solution of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (12 uL, 0.14 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) is cooled down to 0° C. and a solution of 2-bromoethanol (10 uL, 0.14 mmol) in DCM (1 mL) is added. The reaction mixture stirred for 1 h at 0° C., then Ex 3 (50 mg, 0.14 mmol) in DCM (1 mL) is added followed by TEA (78 uL, 0.55 mmol). The reaction is stirred at r.t. for 18 h and is then concentrated under reduced pressure to give crude N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-((2-oxooxazolidin-3-yl)sulfonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide.

Step 2. N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-((2-oxooxazolidin-3-yl)sulfonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide is dissolved in MeOH (2 mL) and treated with NaOH 1 M (1 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred at r.t. for 18 h, then evaporated and purified by prep HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to afford the title compound Ex 21-21 as a solid (43 mg, 65% yield over 2 steps). LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.99 min, [M+1]⁺ 483.27. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 9.22 (s, 1H), 7.47-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.38-7.33 (m, 2H), 7.27-7.24 (m, 1H), 6.74 (s, 1H), 4.90 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 4.62-4.52 (m, 2H), 4.49-4.38 (m, 2H), 3.84 (t, J=4.9 Hz, 2H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.40-3.35 (m, 2H), 2.42 (hept, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 1.13 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H).

Example 22-1: N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide

Method A

To a solution Ex 3 (40 mg, 0.11 mmol) and DIPEA (56 uL, 0.33 mmol) in THE (5 mL) is added (trimethylsilyl)isocyanate (26 uL, 0.16 mmol) dropwise. The reaction mixture is stirred at r.t. for 1 h (reaction progress monitored by LCMS) and is then concentrated. The residue is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 22-1 as a white solid (24 mg, 55% yield); LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.91 min, [M+1]⁺ 403.30.

Example 22-2: N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N1-methylazetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide

Method B

To a solution Ex 3 (30 mg, 0.08 mmol) and DIPEA (42 uL, 0.25 mmol) in THE (2 mL) is added N-succinimidyl-N-methylcarbamate (22 mg, 0.12 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred at r.t. for 1 h (reaction progress monitored by LCMS) and is then concentrated. The residue is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 22-2 as a white solid (9 mg, 28% yield). LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.96 min, [M+1]⁺ 417.33.

TABLE 7 Examples 22-3 to 22-16 Examples 22-3 to 22-16 are synthesized using either Method A or B described for Ex 22-1 and Ex 22-2 respectively starting from Ex 3, Ex 9 or Ex 15. For Method B, the reagent N-succinimidyl carbamate may be replaced by a carbamoyl chloride, such as dimethylcarbamoyl chloride. Functional groups, such as acid or alcohol, may be protected with an appropriate protecting group. For example esters are saponified by 2N LiOH in a second step. Analytics Example Name Method LCMS-1 Ex 22-3 N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-ethyl-3-(2- A [M + 1]⁺ 431.30 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide t_(R) 1.02 Ex 22-4 N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-isopropyl-3-(2- A [M + 1]⁺ 445.33 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide t_(R) 1.08 Ex 22-5 N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-cyclopropyl-3-(2- A [M + 1]⁺ 443.32 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide t_(R) 1.03 Ex 22-6 (S)-N3-(6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-yl)-N1- A [M + 1]⁺ 501.32 cyclopropyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide t_(R) 1.10 Ex 22-7 N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-cyclopropyl-3-(3- A [M + 1]⁺ 444.10 isopropylpyridin-2-yl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide t_(R) 0.95 Ex 22-8 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- A [M + 1]⁺ 515.33 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxamido)ethyl methacrylate t_(R) 1.11 Ex 22-9 N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2- A [M + 1]⁺ 477.31 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide t_(R) 0.90 Ex 22-10 N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N1- A [M + 1]⁺ 461.31 (2-methoxyethyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide t_(R) 0.99 Ex 22-11 ethyl (3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- A [M + 1]⁺ 489.33 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carbonyl)glycinate t_(R) 1.40 Ex 22-12 (3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- A [M + 1]⁺ 461.28 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carbonyl)glycine t_(R) 0.92 Ex 22-13 ethyl 3-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- A [M + 1]⁺ 503.33 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxamido)propanoate t_(R) 1.07 Ex 22-14 3-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- A [M + 1]⁺ 476.32 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxamido)propanoic acid t_(R) 0.93 Ex 22-15 N³-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)- B [M + 1]⁺ 431.31 N1,N1-dimethylazetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide t_(R) 1.07 Ex 22-16 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1- B [M + 1]⁺ 473.33 (morpholine-4-carbonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.05

Ex 23-1: Methyl 3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxylate

To a solution Ex 3 (30 mg, 0.08 mmol) and DIPEA (42 uL, 0.25 mmol) in DCM (1 mL) is added methyl chloroformate (10 uL, 0.12 mmol). The reaction mixture is stirred at r.t. for 18 h and is then concentrated. The residue is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 23-1 as a white solid (33 mg, 95% yield). LCMS-1: t_(R)=1.14 min [M+1]⁺ 418.30. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 9.25 (s, 1H), 7.48-7.42 (m, 2H), 7.38-7.31 (m, 2H), 7.25 (s, 1H), 6.73 (s, 1H), 4.85-4.63 (m, 2H), 4.56-4.32 (m, 2H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 2.42 (hept, J=6.6 Hz, 1H), 1.13 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H).

Ex 23-2: 2-Methoxyethyl 3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxylate

2-Methoxyethyl 3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxylate Ex 23-2 is prepared from methoxyethyl chloroformate according to the methodology described for Ex 23-1. White solid. LCMS-1: t_(R)=1.13 min [M+1]⁺ 462.31.

Example 24-1: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(3-methylpyridin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

To a solution of Ex 3 (50 mg, 0.14 mmol) in dioxane (2 mL), are added 4-bromo-3-methylpyridine (95 mg, 0.55 mmol), NaOtBu (20 mg, 0.21 mmol) and the Pd catalyst SK-0002-A (4.2 mg, 0.007 mmol). The resulting mixture is degassed and is stirred at 100° C. for 4 days. The reaction is filtered on a syringe filter and is then purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 24-1 as a brownish oil (1 mg, 2% yield). LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.76 min, [M+1]⁺ 451.33.

Example 24-2: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-fluoropyridin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

Ex 3 (44 mg, 0.12 mmol), 4-bromo-3-fluoro-pyridine (43 mg, 0.24 mmol) and Cs₂CO₃ (59 mg, 0.18 mmol) are suspended in DMA and the mixture is stirred at 90° C. for 18 h (reaction monitored by LC-MS). The mixture is cooled down to r.t., diluted with EtOAc (50 mL) and washed sequentially with water and brine. The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The residue is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 24-2 as an off-white solid (20 mg, 36% yield). LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.75 min, [M+1]⁺ 455.28; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 9.28 (s, 1H), 8.15 (d, J=4.1 Hz, 1H), 8.10 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (s, 2H), 7.43-7.35 (m, 3H), 6.75 (s, 1H), 6.45-6.36 (m, 1H), 5.00-4.85 (m, 2H), 4.61-4.49 (m, 2H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 2.56-2.46 (m, 1H), 1.17 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H).

TABLE 8 Examples 24-3 to 24-26 Examples 24-3 to 24-26 are synthesized according to methodology described for Ex 24-2 starting from Ex 3 or Ex 10. DMA may be replaced by DMF, and Cs₂CO₃ may be replaced by DIPEA. Functional groups, such as acid or alcohol, may be protected with an appropriate protecting group. For example esters are saponified by 2N LiOH in a second step. Analytics Example Name LCMS-1 Ex 24-3 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-fluoro-2-methylpyridin-4-yl)- [M + 1]⁺ 469.29 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.78 Ex 24-4 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoro-2-methylpyridin-4-yl)- [M + 1]⁺ 469.30 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.77 Ex 24-5 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 451.31 methylpyridin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.76 Ex 24-6 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 465.33 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.79 Ex 24-7 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(4-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 455.28 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.23 Ex 24-8 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-cyanopyrimidin-2-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 463.29 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.22 Ex 24-9 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoropyrimidin-2-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 456.28 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.25 Ex 24-10 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 456.29 isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.09 Ex 24-11 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1- [M + 1]⁺ 438.32 (pyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.73 Ex 24-12 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 452.32 methylpyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.74 Ex 24-13 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(5- [M + 1]⁺ 452.32 methylpyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.76 Ex 24-14 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(6- [M + 1]⁺ 452.31 methylpyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.74 Ex 24-15 1-(6-chloro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3- [M + 1]⁺ 486.25 yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 1.27 Ex 24-16 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoro-2-methylpyrimidin-4- [M + 1]⁺ 470.32 yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide t_(R) 0.92 Ex 24-17 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl)-4-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 484.32 isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxamide t_(R) 1.15 Ex 24-18 N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoro-2-methylpyrimidin-4- [M + 1]⁺ 498.32 yl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxamide t_(R) 0.94 Ex 24-19 methyl 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 496.31 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxylate t_(R) 1.15 Ex 24-20 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 482.30 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid t_(R) 1.05 Ex 24-21 methyl 6-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 495.30 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)nicotinate t_(R) 1.24 Ex 24-22 methyl 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 496.30 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrimidine-5-carboxylate t_(R) 1.24 Ex 24-23 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 482.28 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid t_(R) 1.07 Ex 24-24 methyl 6-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 495.96 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyridazine-3-carboxylate t_(R) 1.11 Ex 24-25 ethyl 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 499.28 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)oxazole-4-carboxylate t_(R) 1.23 Ex 24-26 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2- [M + 1]⁺ 471.26 isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)oxazole-4-carboxylic acid t_(R) 1.06

Example 25: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

Step 1. A solution of cyanogen bromide 5N in CH₃CN (164 uL, 0.04 mmol) is added to a solution of Ex 3 (48 mg, 0.13 mmol) and sodium acetate in MeOH (2.5 mL) at 0° C. The reaction mixture is stirred at r.t. overnight, is then quenched with water and diluted with EtOAc (30 mL). The organic solution is washed with aq. sat. NaHCO₃, followed by brine and is dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to afford crude N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-cyano-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide as a yellow oil (78 mg).

Step 2. To a solution of crude N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-cyano-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide (51 mg, 0.13 mmol) in DMF (2.5 mL) is added ammonium chloride (11 mg, 0.2 mmol) and sodium azide (13 mg, 0.2 mmol) at r.t. The mixture is then heated to 100° C. for 2 h. The reaction mixture is injected in prep. HLPC (Prep-HPLC-1 conditions) to afford the title compound Ex 25 as a white solid (2.4 mg, 4% yield over 2 steps). LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.97 min, [M+1]⁺ 428.16.

Example 26: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(4-oxo-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

To a solution of Ex 3 (50 mg, 0.14 mmol) in DCM (3 mL), chloroacetyl isocyanate (17.5 uL, 0.14 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 1 h at r.t. (Reaction progress is monitored by LCMS). The mixture is poured into water and is extracted with DCM (2×15 mL). The combined extracts are dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue is dissolved in THE (2 mL) and DBU (41 uL, 0.42 mmol) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred at r.t. for 1 day, is then poured into aq. 1N HCl and is extracted with EtOAc (2×20 mL). The combined extracts are dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude product is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-1 conditions) to give Ex 26 as a yellow oil (37 mg, 67% over 2 steps). LCMS-1: t_(R)=0.97 min, [M+1]⁺ 443.28.

Example 27: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-hydroxy-3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-en-1-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide

Step 1. Ex 3 (40 mg, 0.11 mmol) is dissolved in EtOH (0.5 mL) and TEA (46.4 uL, 0.33 mmol) is added. The mixture is then added dropwise to a solution of 3,4-diethoxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione (19.7 uL, 0.13 mmol) in EtOH (0.5 mL). The reaction mixture is stirred at r.t. overnight. Volatiles are evaporated, and the residue is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-2 conditions) to afford N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-ethoxy-3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-en-1-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide as a white solid (50 mg, 93% yield).

Step 2. To a solution of N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-ethoxy-3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-en-1-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide (50 mg, 0.10 mmol) in dioxane (2 mL) is added at r.t. 4N HCl in dioxane (1 mL) and one drop of water. The reaction mixture is stirred at r.t. overnight. Volatiles are evaporated and the residue is purified by prep. HPLC (Prep-HPLC-1 conditions) to give the title compound Ex 27 as an off-white solid (5 mg, 11% yield). LCMS-1: t_(R)=1.12 min, [M+1]⁺ 456.27.

Biological Assays

Beta-Arrestin Recruitment Assay to Determine IC₅₀ Values for Human LPAR₁

The Tango™ EDG2-bla U2OS cells are obtained from Invitrogen. These cells contain the human LPA₁ receptor cDNA linked to a TEV protease site and a Gal4-VP16 transcription factor integrated into the Tango™ GPCR-bla U2OS parental cell line. This parental cell line stably expresses a beta-arrestin/TEV protease fusion protein and the beta-lactamase (bla) reporter gene under the control of a UAS response element. Upon LPA (agonist) binding, LPA₁ receptor gets activated, leading to arrestin-protease recruitment and proteolytic release of the transcription factor: The transcription factor then regulates transcription of a beta-lactamase reporter construct, which is measured upon addition of the live-cell substrate.

10′000 Tango™ EDG2-bla U2OS cells are seeded in a 384-well black with clear bottom plate in 30 μl Freestyle 293 Expression Medium (Invitrogen) and incubated for 20 h at 37° C., 5% CO₂. For antagonist assays, 5 μl of test compound (dilution series in DMSO/Freestyle 293 Expression medium/0.1% fatty acid free BSA (Sigma)) or buffer control are added per well and incubated for 30 min at 37° C., 5% CO₂. 5 μl of LPA 18:1 (500 nM final) (solution in Freestyle 293 Expression medium/0.1% fatty acid free BSA (Sigma)) are added per well and the plate incubated for 16 h at 37° C., 5% CO₂. Cells are then loaded with LiveBLAzer-FRET™ B/G Substrate (Invitrogen) for 2 h in the dark and the fluorescence emission at 460 nm and 530 nm is measured using the SynergyMx reader (BioTek). Following the background subtraction from both channels, the 460/530 nm emission ratio for each well is calculated, then plotted and fitted to a 4-parameter logistic function to obtain IC50 values. IC50 is the concentration of antagonist inhibiting 50% of the maximal response.

Antagonistic activities (IC₅₀ values) of exemplified compounds have been measured and antagonistic activities are displayed in Table 9.

TABLE 9 IC₅₀ Example IC₅₀ LPAR₁ [nM]  1 48  2 74  3 4  4 6  5 3  6 3  7 41  8 252  9 4 10 12 11 36 12 1200 13 3 14 12 15 196 16 419 17 3 18-1 9 18-2 35 18-3 37 18-4 143 18-5 347 18-6 128 18-7 44 18-8 3 18-9 22 18-10 76 18-11 136 18-12 28 18-13 129 18-14 74 18-15 61 18-16 111 18-17 27 18-18 142 18-19 21 18-20 16 18-21 19 18-22 79 18-23 56 18-24 156 18-25 47 18-26 72 18-27 21 18-28 17 19-1 127 19-2 19 19-3 9 19-4 385 19-5 270 19-6 61 19-7 15 19-8 43 19-9 52 19-10 17 19-11 107 19-12 24 19-13 112 19-14 67 19-15 37 19-16 54 19-17 43 19-18 88 19-19 21 19-20 22 19-21 72 19-22 12 19-23 100 20-1 11 20-2 608 20-3 21 20-4 472 20-5 34 21-1 17 21-2 3 21-3 2 21-4 1 21-5 6 21-6 44 21-7 3 21-8 16 21-9 2 21-10 37 21-11 42 21-12 19 21-13 22 21-14 4 21-15 5 21-16 12 21-17 16 21-18 1560 21-19 4 21-20 73 21-21 56 22-1 22 22-2 12 22-3 6 22-4 9 22-5 5 22-6 3 22-7 18 22-8 12 22-9 34 22-10 15 22-11 18 22-12 431 22-13 7 22-14 204 22-15 74 22-16 201 23-1 6 23-2 69 24-1 2 24-2 2 24-3 2 24-4 2 24-5 3 24-6 91 24-7 1 24-8 1 24-9 8 24-10 2 24-11 5 24-12 7 24-13 5 24-14 8 24-15 29 24-16 13 24-17 3 24-18 5 24-19 9 24-20 145 24-21 12 24-22 22 24-23 3150 24-24 24 24-25 15 24-26 91 25 270 26 12 27 55

Assessment of In Vivo Potency

The in vivo potency of the compounds of Formula (I) can be determined using a mouse LPA-induced skin vascular leakage model. Female Balb/c mice are treated with either vehicle or test compound (e.g. at 30 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg p.o.) for at least 1 h prior to administration of the albumin marker Evans blue (50 mg/kg, i.v., 0.9% NaCl) and subsequent challenge with LPA (5 μg, i.d.). After 30 minutes, mice are sacrificed by CO₂ inhalation. Discs of skin from the injection sites are removed, digested in formamide (500 N1, 37° C., 24 hrs) and the content of Evans blue quantified by colorimetric assay. Results are expressed as extravasated Evans blue per skin disc (μg/disc).

As an example, selected compound of the present invention, Ex 21-2, is able to effectively reduce LPA-induced vascular leakage after oral administration of 30 mg/kg to mice as compared to a group of animals treated with vehicle only. Reduction of vascular leakage compared to vehicle group was >60%. 

1. A compound of Formula (I),

wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, or trifluoromethyl; R² is C₁₋₃-alkoxy, cyclopropyloxy or methoxy-C₂₋₃-alkoxy; or Ar¹ represents phenyl, or 6-membered heteroaryl containing one or two nitrogen atoms, wherein said group Ar¹ is substituted with R³ and R⁴, wherein R³ is n-propyl, isopropyl, or C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; and R⁴ represents one substituent independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro, methyl and methoxy; m and n independently represent the integer 1 or 2; and the group -L-R⁵ represents hydrogen; —C₁₋₄-alkyl; —C₀₋₆-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; wherein the C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl independently is unsubstituted or mono-substituted with halogen; —CO—H; -L¹-CO—R^(C11) wherein R^(C11) independently represents hydroxy; —O-benzyl; —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl; C₁-fluoroalkyl; or —NR^(N11)R^(N12); wherein independently R^(N11) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N12) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkyl, or —O—R^(O11), wherein R^(O11) independently represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl, or benzyl; and -L¹- independently represents —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; wherein in the above groups said C₁₋₆-alkylene independently is mono-substituted with hydroxy, C₁₋₃-alkoxy, —O—CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, or —NR^(N13)R^(N14); wherein independently R^(N13) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N14) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—C₂₋₆-alkylene-; wherein in the above groups said C₂₋₆-alkylene independently is di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from hydroxy and —NR^(N15)R^(N16); wherein independently R^(N15) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N16) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or —CO—O—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₈-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; —C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy¹-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; wherein Cy¹ independently represents a C₃₋₆-heterocycloalkylene containing one ring oxygen atom, or one ring nitrogen atom, wherein said ring nitrogen, in case it has a free valency, independently is unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —C₂₋₄-alkylene-O—C₂₋₄-alkylene-O—C₁₋₄-alkylene-, or —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-O—C₂₋₄-alkylene-O—C₁₋₄-alkylene-; —C₂₋₄-alkylene-X¹¹—C₁₋₄-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₂₋₄-alkylene-X¹¹—C₁₋₄-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₄-alkylene-X¹¹—C₁₋₄-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₄-alkylene-X¹¹—C₁₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X¹¹ independently represents oxygen, or a nitrogen atom which is independently unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²—C₁₋₄-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²—C₁₋₄-alkylene-, or —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X¹²—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X¹² independently represents oxygen, or a nitrogen atom which is independently unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl, or C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkyl; —C₂₋₄-alkylene-X¹³—C₁₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X¹³ represents —NH—CO—, and wherein said C₂₋₄-alkylene independently is unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy; —C₁₋₄-alkylene-X¹⁴—C₁₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X¹⁴ represents —CO—NH—; —CO—C₂₋₆-alkenylene- or —SO₂—C₂₋₆-alkenylene-; or —CO—C₂₋₆-fluoroalkylene-; -L²-hydroxy; wherein -L²- represents —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; wherein in the above groups said C₁₋₆-alkylene independently is unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy, C₁-fluoroalkyl, or —NR^(N21)R^(N22) wherein independently R^(N21) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N22) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, wherein in the above groups said C₂₋₆-alkylene independently is unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy, C₁-fluoroalkyl, or —NR^(N23)R^(N24) wherein independently R^(N23) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N24) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; —C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy²-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy²-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy²-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; wherein Cy² independently represents a C₃₋₆-heterocycloalkylene group containing one ring oxygen atom, or one ring nitrogen atom; wherein said ring nitrogen, in case it has a free valency, is independently unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —C₂₋₄-alkylene-(O—C₂₋₄-alkylene)_(p)- or —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-(O—C₂₋₄-alkylene)_(p)-; wherein p independently represents the integer 1 or 2; —C₂₋₄-alkylene-X²¹—C₂₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X²¹ represents a nitrogen atom which is unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²²—C₂₋₄-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²²—C₁₋₄-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene-, or —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²—C₂₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X²² represents a nitrogen atom which is independently unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —C₂₋₄-alkylene-X²³—C₁₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X²³ represents —NH—CO—, and wherein said C₂₋₄-alkylene independently is unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy; —C₁₋₄-alkylene-X²⁴—C₂₋₄-alkylene-; wherein X²⁴ represents —CO—NH—, and wherein said C₂₋₄-alkylene independently is unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy; or 3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-ene-1,2-diyl; -L³-O—R^(O31) wherein R^(O31) is —C₁₋₄-alkyl, —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—C₂₋₄-alkenyl; and -L³- independently represents —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-; -L⁴-NR^(N1)R^(N2) wherein independently R^(N1) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl; and R^(N2) is hydrogen; C₁₋₄-alkyl; C₁₋₃-fluoroalkyl; C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkylene; —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkyl; or —SO₂—C₁-fluoroalkyl; and -L⁴- independently represents —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-; or —C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy⁴-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy⁴-C₀₋₄-alkylene-, or —SO₂—C₀₋₄-alkylene-Cy⁴-C₀₋₄-alkylene-; wherein Cy⁴ independently represents a C₃₋₆-heterocycloalkylene group containing one ring oxygen atom; -L⁵-NR^(N3)R^(N4) wherein R^(N3) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, or C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkylene; and R^(N4) is —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; —CO—NR^(N51)R^(NS2) wherein R^(N51) and R^(N52) are independently selected from hydrogen and C₁₋₄-alkyl; or —SO₂—NR^(N53)R^(N54) wherein independently R^(NS3) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N54) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, or —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl; and -L⁵- independently represents —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-; -L⁶-N(R^(N61))—O—R^(O61) wherein R^(N61) is hydrogen, —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, or —CO—O—C₁₋₄-alkyl; and R^(O61) independently represents hydrogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl, or benzyl; and -L⁶- independently represents —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-; -L⁷-NR^(N5)R^(N6) wherein R^(N5) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl; R^(N6) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₃-fluoroalkyl, or C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; and -L⁷- independently represents —CO—, or —SO₂—; -L⁸-SO₂—R^(S81) wherein R^(S81) independently represents —C₁₋₆-alkyl; C₁-fluoroalkyl; hydroxy; —NR^(N81)R^(N82) wherein independently R^(N81) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N82) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkyl; and -L⁸- independently represents —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; -L⁹-HET¹, wherein HET¹ represents 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl, wherein said HET¹ independently is unsubstituted or mono-, or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from C₁₋₄-alkyl; halogen; cyano; hydroxy; hydroxymethyl; —C₀₋₂-alkylene-Cy⁹¹-COOR^(O91) wherein R^(O91) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and wherein Cy⁹¹ represents a C₃₋₆-cycloalkylene group; or —C₀₋₂-alkylene-COOR^(O92) wherein R^(O92) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl; and L⁹- independently represents —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl, wherein the C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl independently contains one or two ring heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen; wherein in the above groups said C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl independently is unsubstituted, or mono-, di-, or tri-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from: one or two oxo substituents each attached to a ring carbon atom in alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom; and/or two methyl substituents attached to a ring carbon atom in alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom or a ring oxygen atom; and/or two oxo substituents at a ring sulfur ring atom; and/or C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₃-alkoxy-C₂₋₄-alkyl, C₂₋₃-fluoroalkyl, or —CO—C₁₋₄-alkyl attached to a ring nitrogen atom having a free valency; and -L¹⁰- independently represents —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; -L¹¹-cyano; wherein -L¹¹- represents —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene, or —C₀₋₆-alkylene-; -L¹²-NO₂; wherein -L¹²- represents —C₂₋₆-alkylene-; or -L¹³-C₁₋₄-alkyl; wherein -L¹³- represents —CO—, —CO—O—, or —SO₂—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is halogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R² is C₁₋₃-alkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. A compound according to claim 1, wherein Ar¹ represents phenyl; wherein said phenyl group is substituted with R³ and R⁴, wherein R³ represents isopropyl; and R⁴ represents hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the fragment:

represents a ring independently selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. A compound according to claim 1, wherein m and n both are 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the group -L-R⁵ represents hydrogen; —C₁₋₄-alkyl; —C₀₋₆-alkylene-C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; wherein the C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl independently is unsubstituted or mono-substituted with halogen; —CO—H; -L¹-CO—R^(C11) wherein R^(C11) independently represents hydroxy; or —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl; and -L¹- independently represents —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or —CO—NH—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; -L²-hydroxy; wherein -L²- represents —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, wherein in the above groups said C₂₋₆-alkylene independently is unsubstituted, or mono-substituted with hydroxy; or 3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-ene-1,2-diyl; -L³-O—R^(O31) wherein R^(O31) is —C₁₋₄-alkyl or —CO—C₂₋₄-alkenyl; and -L³- independently represents —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—O—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—NH—C₂₋₆-alkylene-; -L⁴-NR^(N1)R^(N2) wherein independently R^(N1) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl; and R^(N2) is hydrogen; C₁₋₄-alkyl; or —SO₂—C₁₋₄-alkyl; and -L⁴- independently represents —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; -L⁵-NR^(N3)R^(N4) wherein R^(N3) is hydrogen, or C₁₋₄-alkyl; and R^(N4) is —SO₂—NR^(N53)R^(N54) wherein independently R^(N53) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl, and R^(N54) is hydrogen, or C₁₋₄-alkyl; and -L⁵- independently represents —C₂₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene- or —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; -L⁷-NR^(N5)R^(N6) wherein R^(N5) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl; R^(N6) is hydrogen, C₁₋₄-alkyl, or C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; and -L⁷- independently represents —CO—, or —SO₂—; -L⁸-SO₂—R^(S81) wherein R^(S81) independently represents —C₁₋₆-alkyl; C₁-fluoroalkyl; or hydroxy; and -L⁸- independently represents —C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₁₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₁₋₆-alkylene-; -L⁹-HET¹, wherein HET¹ represents 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl, wherein said HET¹ independently is unsubstituted or mono-, or di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from C₁₋₄-alkyl; halogen; cyano; hydroxy; hydroxymethyl; —C₀₋₂-alkylene-COOR^(O92) wherein R^(O92) is hydrogen or C₁₋₄-alkyl; and -L⁹- independently represents —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₆-alkylene; -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl, wherein the C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl independently contains one or two ring heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen and oxygen; wherein in the above groups said C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl independently is unsubstituted, or mono-, or di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from: one or two oxo substituents each attached to a ring carbon atom in alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom; and/or two methyl substituents attached to a ring carbon atom in alpha position to a ring nitrogen atom or a ring oxygen atom; and -L¹⁰- independently represents —C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —CO—C₀₋₆-alkylene-, —SO₂—C₀₋₆-alkylene-; or -L¹³-C₁₋₄-alkyl; wherein -L¹³- represents —CO—, —CO—O—, or —SO₂—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the group -L-R⁵ represents hydrogen; isopropyl, isobutyl; cyclobutyl; —CO—H; -L¹-COOH; wherein -L¹- represents *—CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—, *—CH₂—CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—, *—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—, or *—CO—CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—; -L²-hydroxy; wherein -L²- represents —CH₂—CH₂—, *—CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—; *—CO—NH—CH₂—CH₂—; or *—SO₂—CH₂—CH₂—; -L³-O—CH₃, or -L³-O—CO—C(CH₃)═CH₂; wherein -L³- represents *—CO—NH—CH₂—CH₂—; -L⁷-NH₂, -L⁷-NH—CH₃, -L⁷-NH—CH₂—CH₃, -L⁷-NH—CH(CH₃)₂, or -L⁷-NH-cyclopropyl; wherein -L⁷- represents —CO—, or —SO₂—; -L⁹-HET¹; wherein -L⁹-HET¹ represents

-L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl; wherein -L¹⁰-C₄₋₆-heterocyclyl represents

-L¹³-methyl; wherein -L¹³- represents —CO—, or —SO₂—; wherein in the above groups the asterisks indicate the bond which is connected to the rest of the molecule; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the group -L-R⁵ represents —SO₂—NH₂; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 10. A compound according to claim 1 wherein said compound is: N-(6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-cyclopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-(2-methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; (S)—N-(6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxamide; 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-fluoro-6-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(5-fluoro-2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(6-fluoro-3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-cyclopentylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-isopropyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-isobutyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 1-(2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 1-(3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)propyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)acetic acid; 1-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-cyclobutyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(oxetan-3-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-((1-fluorocyclopropyl)methyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; (R)—N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-((2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; (R)—N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 1-((1H-pyrazol-3-yl)methyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 1-((1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 1-((1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; methyl 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoate; 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic acid; methyl 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoate; 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic acid; 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic acid; methyl 4-(4-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoate; 4-(4-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic acid; 4-(3-((6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylbutanoic acid; ethyl 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoate; 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoic acid; ethyl 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoate; 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylpentanoic acid; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-(sulfamoylamino)ethyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-hydroxypropanoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 1-acetyl-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-formyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(oxetane-3-carbonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-hydroxyisoxazole-5-carbonyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-hydroxy-1,2,4-oxadiazole-3-carbonyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 1-(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)acetyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-(4-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-(4-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 1-(2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)acetyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 1-(2-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)acetyl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-(3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-(3-hydroxy-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)acetyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(sulfamoylglycyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-((methylsulfonyl)glycyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-(methylsulfonyl)acetyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; methyl 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoate; 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic acid; 4-(3-((6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic acid; 4-(4-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic acid; 4-(3-((6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic acid; 4-(3-((6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-4-oxobutanoic acid; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(methylsulfonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-((2-methoxyethyl)sulfonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-((2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)sulfonyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(oxetan-3-ylsulfonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-fluoro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-cyclopropoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-(2-methoxyethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; (S)—N-(6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylpiperidine-4-carboxamide; N-(6-bromo-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxy-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-cyclopentylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(N-methylsulfamoyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(N-cyclopropylsulfamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-fluoro-6-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(5-fluoro-2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(6-fluoro-3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; 3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N-(4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(N-(2-methoxyethyl)sulfamoyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)sulfamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N1-methylazetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-ethyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-isopropyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; (S)—N3-(6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-yl)-N1-cyclopropyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; (S)—N3-(6-chloro-4-((1-methoxypropan-2-yl)oxy)pyridin-3-yl)-N1-cyclopropyl-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-cyclopropyl-3-(3-isopropylpyridin-2-yl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxamido)ethyl methacrylate; N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-N1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N1-(2-methoxyethyl)azetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; ethyl (3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carbonyl)glycinate; (3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carbonyl)glycine; ethyl 3-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxamido)propanoate; 3-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxamido)propanoic acid; N3-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-N1,N1-dimethylazetidine-1,3-dicarboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; methyl 3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxylate; 2-methoxyethyl 3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-1-carboxylate; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(3-methylpyridin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-fluoropyridin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(3-fluoro-2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoro-2-methylpyridin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-methylpyridin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2,6-dimethylpyridin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(4-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-cyanopyrimidin-2-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoropyrimidin-2-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(pyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(5-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; 1-(6-chloro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)-N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-fluoro-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)-4-(2-isopropylphenyl)piperidine-4-carboxamide; methyl 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxylate; 5-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid; methyl 6-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)nicotinate; methyl 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrimidine-5-carboxylate; 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid; methyl 6-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)pyridazine-3-carboxylate; ethyl 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)oxazole-4-carboxylate; ethyl 2-(3-((6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)carbamoyl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidin-1-yl)oxazole-4-carboxylate; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-(4-oxo-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; or N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-1-(2-hydroxy-3,4-dioxocyclobut-1-en-1-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)azetidine-3-carboxamide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 12-14. (canceled)
 15. A method for the prophylaxis or treatment of fibrosis, dermatological disorders, pain, malignant and benign proliferative diseases, respiratory diseases, nervous system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory disorders, obesity, or insulin resistance; comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound as defined in claim 1, or of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 16. A compound, wherein said compound is: N-(6-chloro-4-methoxypyridin-3-yl)-3-(2-isopropylphenyl)-1-sulfamoylazetidine-3-carboxamide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 17. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound according to claim 16, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 18. A method for the prophylaxis or treatment of fibrosis, dermatological disorders, pain, malignant and benign proliferative diseases, respiratory diseases, nervous system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory disorders, obesity, or insulin resistance; comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the compound according to claim 16, or of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 